How Does a Small Publisher Deal with one of his Authors Muscling in on Ian Rankin's Territory?

EDINBURGH, Scotland - Aug. 10, 2021 - PRLog -- Perilaus II, a crime novel launched this month by an independent publisher, is set in modern-day Edinburgh, But is there any room for a new novelist in Ian Rankin's territory?

Fantastic Books Publishing CEO, Dan Grubb, says, "I'm a big fan of Ian Rankin, and the subject matter of Mark Henderson's new novel made me pause, because Rankin has left no room for another crime novel in contemporary Edinburgh, and yet Mark has found an entirely new angle. Like Rankin, his books are very well researched, and in this one he evokes Edinburgh vividly, but he has found a niche entirely outside Rankin's world."

Author Mark Henderson himself says of Rankin, "I've learned from his books and I love Edinburgh. I hope I've painted the city as vividly as he does." He adds, "Coincidentally, we share a minor theme in stories that point to endemic corruption within Scottish law enforcement, but my inspiration for Perilaus II came from further afield and a long time ago."

When asked for his main influences for the story, Henderson points to Jasper Fforde, Diane Setterfield and, surprisingly, Arthur Peacocke. He says, "Although the argument of Peacocke's The Sciences and Theology in the Twentieth Century didn't convince me, it made me think in depth about the nature of creation (and by implication, creativity) and its moral dimension."

Early reviews note that Perilaus II retains Henderson's ability to keep his readers turning the pages and that his first venture into crime fiction has a twist that "you will not see coming despite all the clues".

"Mark is an author who deserves to be better known," his publisher says. "He finds a truly unique angle on every topic he tackles. I think he should stand up there with the greats."

Henderson demurs, saying, "There are authors whom I wish I could match in quality and would love to meet for dinner: Hilary Mantel, Rose Tremaine, Julian Barnes, Ian McEwan, Kazuo Ishiguro… They set the bar at such a height that I'd do well to bang my head on it." But he concedes that, "None of them has written anything with intentions close to those of Perilaus II."

About the book

The book is available as an ebook and paperback from Amazon: https://getbook.at/PerilausII

Information about the author

Mark Henderson's author page: https://www.fantasticbooksstore.com/authors/mark-p-henderson

Contact details

Fantastic Books Publishing

Dan Grubb, Fantastic Books Publishing: email fbp-publicity@outlook.com

Phone: 07415 388882

Web: https://www.fantasticbooksstore.com

Mark Henderson

Email: mark@markphenderson.com