Matthew Richardson

The Second World War transformed Frank Macaskie’s life, with a new sense of purpose. After fighting bravely with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Crete, where he was captured, he was introduced to the plight of Greece under brutal Nazi occupation. Following a daring escape, he was recruited as an agent by British intelligence. Though his life was cut short, Macaskie left an indelible mark on Greece, during both liberation and the turbulent early Cold War years. This book traces his extraordinary story, from his childhood to the battlefield, from prison escaper to decorated hero, and reveals the legacy of a man whose exploits remained hidden for decades.

Kawasaki, eager to grab their own slice of the glory, was the last of the major Japanese manufacturers to enter the high-octane world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing. Although the company had a long history of engineering innovation, it adopted motorcycles relatively late in the day. However, Kawasaki did more than simply copy what the other Far Eastern firms were producing, and struck out on their own with some truly innovative designs. These were machines which are still regarded as classics today. This then is the story of how a previously little-known Japanese conglomerate became a household name in the West, through its trailblazing motorcycles, which were larger and faster than anything that their rivals had at that time. Kawasaki chose to showcase their machinery in the Isle of Man, at the world-famous TT races, and in the 1970s – the era of big hair, big flares and even bigger engines – they ripped up the record book time after time. The so called ‘Green Meanies’ became part of TT folklore, and the era of Kawasaki dominance was to be one of the most exciting in the history of the event.

From ancient Egypt and classical Greece to the twentieth-century development of primatology as a scientific field, we have always been fascinated by our closest animal relatives. This book offers an in-depth overview of primatology, taking the reader on a journey through the ages. Reaching back as far as the Carthaginian explorer Hanno and Pliny the Elder, Matthew Richardson investigates how ancient cultures thought about other primates. With the birth of ‘natural science’ and the compilation of medieval bestiaries, we find the first recorded anatomical studies, along with captive chimpanzees and orangutans appearing in Europe. Development of the Linnaean binomial system and the era of global exploration saw great advances in primatology, in tandem with the growth of biological collections in European museums. In the nineteenth century, Darwin codified humans’ relationship to our primate relatives in The Descent of Man. Meanwhile, the growing collections and expeditions inspired natural history artists to create a wealth of primate paintings and scientific illustrations still familiar today. In the modern era we see the growth of primatology as a science, where a trio of remarkable women – Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey and Birute Galdikas – would devote their lives to studying primates in the wild. Gerald Durrell and others would pioneer captive breeding to help to save species now increasingly threatened. By the late twentieth century a ‘decolonization’ of primatology would take place in Africa, Asia and South America. Taxonomic splitting based on differences in DNA has resulted in an explosion of new species, as conservation becomes the main focus, with numerous primate species highly endangered. This comprehensive one-volume synthesis will be essential reading for students of primatology, academics and anyone fascinated by humankind’s history with our closest relatives.

In 1939, Britain possessed the most concentrated and intricate railway system in the world. With the outbreak of war, this network was of vital importance in keeping the country running. Many people today are aware of the impact of the Blitz in 1940-41, when Germany’s Luftwaffe sought to terrorise the British people into submission through bombing of civilian targets. Few however are aware of a key element of this - the Battle of the Railways. The determined efforts by the Luftwaffe to cripple the nation’s rail network were met by the herculean efforts of the railway personnel to keep the system running, in spite of the difficulties. Adolf Hitler was assured that air assault would bring Britain to her knees, but the Luftwaffe was not successful in this endeavour, partly because their attacks were sporadic and not strategically targeted, but mainly due to the often unseen bravery of the railway staff in keeping the network going. This is the story of those critical, but now often overlooked months on the Home Front in the Second World War, and of the men and women who endured so much in order to keep this vital industry running.

In the early 1960s, Japanese firm Yamaha, previously known as a musical instrument maker, took their first faltering steps into the arena of top flight motorcycle racing. They were comparative latecomers in this world, but soon made stars of riders like Phil Read and Bill Ivy. Their two-stroke engines developed quickly, and within a few short years they were challenging rivals Honda for the top places in the world’s most prestigious race, the Isle of Man TT. By the early 1970s, Yamaha had emerged from the shadow of their competitors to dominate Grand Prix motorcycle sport with their TZ models. More than this though, Yamaha democratised racing by building a machine that was both capable of winning, and also within the reach of any aspiring motorcycle racer. The engine was so versatile – and so effective – that it even lent itself to powering three wheeled machines, and a clutch of sidecar World Championships also fell to Yamaha as a result. The biggest names of the decade – Grant, Mortimer, Williams, O’Dell and Taylor – wrote their names in the TT history books under the Yamaha banner.

Names like Ben-My-Chree, Tynwald and Lady of Mann are synonymous with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the world’s oldest shipping line that is still in existence. In its long history, there can have been no greater test of the company’s ships or its men than the Second World War. As well as maintaining a crucial link to the Isle of Man (in spite of U-boats and mines), the vessels and their compliments saw vital service as troop carriers at Dunkirk, on D-Day and elsewhere. For the first time, this book explores what it was really like to crew these ships, often under fire, and frequently in danger. Using previously unreleased archive material, and sometimes forgotten personal accounts, this book weaves a gripping narrative of what was arguably the Isle of Man’s greatest contribution to victory in the Second World War – its fleet.

The Royal Marines had the distinction of serving in every major land campaign of the First World War, as well as participating in most minor ones. They also served afloat as an element of the Royal Navy. For the greater part, the morale and esprit de corps of the formation was second to none, wherever its men found themselves and whatever challenges they faced. This new history examines the participation of the corps in actions such as the Defence of Antwerp, the Gallipoli landings, the Battle of the Somme, the Zeebrugge Raid and the Allied intervention in North Russia. It covers the Marines in action aboard ship at the Dardanelles and Jutland, and throws a spotlight on the little-known Royal Marines presence in the West Indies. Flying Marines operated with the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Flying Corps, often with noted bravery. Wherever possible the words used are those of the men who were there, and these eye-witness accounts (some never before published) offer an immediacy and freshness to this story.

The Isle of Man TT is arguably the most historic motorsport event on the planet. Its 37 ¾ mile Mountain Course is the world’s oldest racing circuit that is still in use. Three wheeled machines first appeared in 1923, and were an instant hit with the spectators. Early pioneer Fred Dixon set the standard for technical innovation with his banking sidecar, but lack of manufacturer support meant that the class was soon dropped. When sidecar outfits made a comeback at the TT in the 1950s, it was West German BMW machines which dominated the podium places. The Munich factory supported World Championship contenders such as Max Deubel, Georg Auerbacher and Siegfried Schauzu, and it was not until the late 60s that BSA-mounted British riders began a fight-back. Through the 1970s Yamaha two stoke engines were the weapon of choice at the TT, and powered the likes of World Champions George O’Dell and Jock Taylor; that is until Mick Boddice secured the support of Honda UK. Boddice battled it out with the rising young star Dave Molyneux, who would go on to dominate the sidecar TT over three decades as the most successful driver in the history of the event. In recent years the pace at the TT has been set by the electrifying World Championship duo of Ben and Tom Birchall. Sidecar Century celebrates the technical innovation and sheer determination of all of these competitors, over 100 years of classic racing.

When the fledgeling Honda Motor Company wanted to break into Europe, they knew their machines had to prove themselves at the greatest motorcycle race in the world, the Isle of Man TT. At that time part of the World Championship series, the TT attracted the biggest names in the racing world. It was also the toughest and most challenging event of its kind. In 1959, the first Japanese riders to reach the Island experienced a culture shock when they encountered western lifestyles for the first time, and this was only a few years after the Second World War. Yet they won over young hearts and minds, and helped rebuild bridges. Not only that, Honda machines proved themselves reliable – and fast. They were soon picking up race victory after race victory and the likes of Jim Redman, Luigi Taveri and Mike Hailwood were queueing up to ride them. When they walked away from Grand Prix motorcycle racing in 1967, Honda had won everything there was to win on two wheels at the Isle of Man TT. A legend was born, and the Honda name would go from strength to strength. Yet founder Soichiro Honda never forgot how it all started, and the Isle of Man retains a special place in Honda company history.

The opening months of the First World War were the golden sunset for the horsed regiments of the British army. Whether they were Lancers, Hussars or Dragoons, their names were redolent of glory and grandeur. Trained for shock tactics as well as scouting and reconnaissance, several times in 1914 they clashed dramatically with their German counterparts on the battlefields of France. Yet at the same time, the role of the cavalry was shifting inexorably away from these romantic charges, with trumpets, gleaming lances and swirling sabres. In the new warfare of the Twentieth Century, the true value of these regiments was as an intensively trained, highly mobile reserve. Despite their misgivings about the role, the Regular cavalry (latterly with Yeomanry alongside them) were also a highly effective force when fighting on foot. Able to arrive quickly at trouble spots, they were equally skilled with the rifle, and on more than one occasion in 1914 they were able to retrieve a critical situation.

The Isle of Man is predominantly a maritime nation. For many generations its menfolk have made their living from the sea, sometimes as fishermen, but often as crewmen aboard merchant vessels or warships. Indeed, such were their skills of seamanship that they were in great demand for the latter in time of war. As smugglers, or as privateers they made their living on the waves, in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Pacific. Whether taken by a Press Gang, or enlisted voluntarily, the Manx saw action in some of the greatest naval events between 1760 and 1815. The Isle of Man had a high degree of literacy and education even among the poor at this time, and consequently a significant body of first-hand evidence has survived from those who served below decks, aboard merchant ships, privateers and warships. Some, such as Peter Heywood, were eyewitness to the most famous event in naval history, the Mutiny on the Bounty. Others, such as John Quilliam climbed the naval career ladder, served with Nelson and gained distinction at the greatest sea battle in history, Trafalgar. One, Captain Hugh Crow, fought against the French, made his fortune in the slave trade, and commanded the last legal voyage. In this book we meet them all, and their words echo to us across the waves and down the centuries.

THE BOOK THOSE IN THE KNOW ARE CALLING THE BEST SPY NOVEL OF THE YEAR*** One of the 50 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2023 in the Daily Telegraph ****** A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ****** A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 ***‘Superbly constructed in an elaborate twisty spy yarn. It's highly unlikely that there will be a better espionage novel this year’ THE SUNDAY TIMES'A breathtaking thriller. A classic in the making' PETER JAMES'Hugely impressive and compelling' WILLIAM BOYD‘A natural-born storyteller’ JEFFERY DEAVER___________London, present dayHistorian Max Archer is invited to a clandestine meeting with legendary Cold War spymaster, Scarlet King.Her offer to share the explosive secrets born of over half a century at the heart of global espionage would be life-changing. But Max has little reason to trust a woman whose name is a byword for deceit and ruthlessness.Soon he is on the wrong side of the law and on the run. As the net closes tighter around him he must somehow discover the truth. Because it’s not just his life on the line – but also the fate of the Western world . . .___________‘Intricate and fast moving, it weaves a thrilling spell’ DAILY MAIL'Smart, slick and totally gripping . . . The Scarlet Papers is always credible, always startling and almost painfully human. A total triumph' TONY PARSONS'A masterpiece' TIM GLISTER*** DISCOVER MY NAME IS NOBODY AND THE INSIDER, FURTHER SPY NOVELS BY MATTHEW RICHARDSON ***

THE BRAND NEW BLOCKBUSTER NOVEL WITH THE HIGH-STAKES THRILLS OF SLOW HORSES AND THE ADRENALINE-SOAKED EXCITEMENT OF BOX 88 **SUNDAY TIMES THRILLER OF THE MONTH** 'A breathtaking thriller. A classic in the making' PETER JAMES'A shot in the arm for thriller fans' THE TIMES'Hugely impressive and compelling' WILLIAM BOYD'Look out for The Scarlet Papers . . . Engrossing' STEVE CAVANAGH'The most impressive espionage debut since Mick Herron's Slow Horses' DAILY MAIL'Magnificent' LITERARY REVIEW'Superbly constructed and written with flair. This might be the best spy novel of the year' SUNDAY TIMES'The Cold War is given a new twist ... Impressive, superior spy stuff' SHOTS MAGAZINE___________ VIENNA, 1946: A brilliant German scientist snatched from the ruins of Nazi Europe. MOSCOW, 1964: A US diplomat caught in a clandestine love affair as the Cold War rages. RIGA, 1992: A Russian archivist selling secrets that will change the twentieth century forever. LONDON, THE PRESENT DAY: A British academic on the run with the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries. Their stories, their lives, and the fate of the world are bound by a single manuscript. A document feared and whispered about in capitals across the globe. In its pages, history will be rewritten. It is only ever known as . . . THE SCARLET PAPERS The devastating secrets contained within teased by a brief invitation: Tomorrow 11AM. Take a cab and pay in cash. Tell no one.___________ 'Smart, slick and totally gripping . . . The Scarlet Papers is always credible, always startling and almost painfully human. A total triumph' TONY PARSONS 'A masterpiece' TIM GLISTER 'Grand in scope and packed with fascinating insights' MICK HERRON 'An extraordinary novel' HOLLY WATT 'Addictive, original and outrageously entertaining . . . Matthew Richardson proves himself a writer of huge talent and skill' CHARLOTTE PHILBY 'An epic read ' JEREMY DUNS

Habitat loss and degradation are currently the main anthropogenic causes of species extinctions. The root cause is human overpopulation. This unique volume provides, for the very first time, a comprehensive overview of all threatened and recently extinct mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes within the context of their locations and habitats. The approach takes a systematic examination of each biogeographic realm and region of the world, both terrestrial and marine, but with a particular emphasis on geographic features such as mountains, islands, and coral reefs. It reveals patterns useful in biodiversity conservation, helps to put it all into perspective, and ultimately serves as both a baseline from which to compare subsequent developments as well as a standardization of the way threatened species are studied.

The opening battles on the Western Front marked a watershed in military history. A dramatic, almost Napoleonic war of movement quickly gave way to static, attritional warfare in which modern weaponry had forced the combatants to take to the earth. Some of the last cavalry charges took place in the same theatre in which armoured cars, motorcycles and aeroplanes were beginning to make their presence felt. These dramatic developments were recorded in graphic detail by soldiers who were eyewitnesses to them. There is a freshness and immediacy to their accounts which Matthew Richardson exploits in this thoroughgoing reassessment of the 1914 campaign. His vivid narrative emphasises the perspective of the private soldiers and the junior officers of the British Army, the men at the sharp end of the fighting.

The thrilling novel of espionage and murder set in the dark heart of Westminster, from the UK's most exciting new spy writerA Russian defector is found brutally murdered in a London hotel.Only four people knew he had turned - the four most important and powerful figures in Whitehall.There's only one conclusion:A mole has infiltrated the highest levels of the nation's security.Operating in secret from within Westminster's darkest corners, former spy, Solomon Vine, must uncover the traitor.Because Britain's future hangs in the balance.And with it, the fate of the whole world . . .Praise for Matthew Richardson'Proof that the spy genre is flourishing in the 21st century . . . [Richardson's] plotting has an old-school, Swiss-clock precision' The Guardian'Compelling, intense and sharply authentic' James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad'A splendid tale of espionage starring an old-fashioned MI6 hero . . . Exciting spy literature' The Times 'A bang-up-to-date thriller told with old-school panache. A great read' Mick Herron, CWA Gold Dagger-winning author of the Slough House Series

The reader will perhaps be surprised to learn that the tiny Isle of Man, midway between the coasts of Lancashire and Northern Ireland, is one of the richest historic landscapes in Europe. Packed into its 225 square miles are dramatic stories of Bronze Age conflict, Viking warriors, Medieval kings, smugglers, maritime and railway history, wartime airfields and even a pirate radio station. Add to that the Island's unique motorsport heritage (on two, three and four wheels), and you have a combination unrivalled anywhere in the British Isles. Whatever your passion, or whichever historical period appeals to you, the Isle of Man will have something fascinating to offer. Packed with illustrations, and using first-hand accounts to enhance the narrative, this book takes the reader on a chronological journey through the island's history, before offering a series of guided tours which pick up the highlights of each district. From Bronze Age hill forts, to Medieval castles. From heritage railways, to historic quaysides. From award-winning museums, to country mansions, the Isle of Man has it all. Let this book be your guide to historic Britain's best-kept secret, as you explore a place untouched by the hectic pace of 21st century life, where heritage is, quite literally, to be found around every corner.

'Cyber Crime: Law and Practice', now in its second edition, tackles the fast-growing topic of cyber crime and covers a wide range of issues from electronic fraud, data, interception of communications, cyber stalking, online theft and intellectual property to more involved topics like malicious communications and the rules of evidence relating to cyber-crimes and computers. The second edition contains updated information on: New Offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990, Investigatory Powers Act 2016, Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, and new CPS guidance on prosecution of offences relating to social media. Using detailed case studies, examples and statutory extracts the author explains all aspects of cyber crime and computer crime. 'Cyber Crime: Law and Practice' provides a practical, easy-to-follow guide for practitioners in the field, as well as those in law enforcement and academia.

Isle of Man at War 1939-45 presents the remarkable story of the Manx people, and their homeland, in the most destructive conflict of the twentieth century. Few people are now aware of the extraordinary role that this small island played in assisting the allied war effort. Yet for six years, a place best known for motorcycle racing and as a holiday playground became a heavily armed fortress. Hundreds of airmen, soldiers and sailors were trained in readiness for combat. Thousands of enemy aliens were imprisoned behind the barbed wire of its camps, alongside those of British birth who were deemed to be a threat to security. Top secret radar was developed, and the Island's merchant fleet played a vital role at Dunkirk and D-Day. On battlefields around the world, gallant Manxmen fought bravely, whilst at home, in spite of the pressures which total war brought to society, there was a perhaps surprising tolerance for those with pacifist beliefs. Likewise, though there was increased government control in almost all areas of life, these were times of great advancement for Manx democracy. The story is told in the words of those who were there - some of these eyewitnesses speaking for the first time about their experiences, and among them the last survivors of that generation. Their accounts bring a freshness and immediacy to this remarkably vivid narrative.

'PROOF THAT THE SPY GENRE IS FLOURISHING IN THE 21ST CENTURY' Guardian'I know for certain that there is a mole somewhere within the intelligence services . . . His codename is Nobody . . .' Solomon Vine is a spy on a fast track to the top. But when a prisoner is shot in unexplained circumstances on his watch, only suspension and exile beckon. Three months later, MI6's Head of Station in Istanbul is violently abducted from his home. With the Service in lockdown, uncertain of who can be trusted, thoughts turn to the missing man's oldest friend: Solomon Vine. On the run and determined to clear his name, Vine tries to uncover the truth. But his investigation soon reveals that there's much more at stake than the life of a single spy...'Compelling, intense and sharply authentic' James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad 'A supremely confident debut' Daily Mail 'Authentic, mysterious, fraught with deception, betrayal, and uncertain allegiances' Jason Matthews, author of Red Sparrow 'Such a smart, pacey, twisty thriller. Tremendous!' C.J. Tudor, author of The Chalk Man#Test