Books by Mike Lowe

Philip Harding is a successful insurance executive but he is painfully shy in the company of girls. He fantasises about a girl he sees on the underground train but dare not speak to her. When promotion means he will have to move from London he realises he will not see the girl again. He plucks up courage and eventually they get together. But the girl has a big problem and Philip has to help. What follows is a dangerous game that takes our reluctant hero into situations he could not have dreamed of.

ALL AT SEA is a sequel, requested by readers, to HERMIT, published in 2012. The two accidental adventurers, Alan Benton and Madge le Fevfre having survived their first adventure together, settle down for a quiet life - until they unwittingly embark on a life-threatening adventure of national importance. Once more their activities involve going to sea, with near disastrous consequences.

This is a story of national pride, of fear, greed and love. In an idyllic setting, somewhere in central Europe is a tiny state called Bulvaria. For centuries nothing much has happened. Life is good but there is the ever present niggling fear that one day the Republic will decide to invade and destroy everything the people hold dear. The hereditary ruler would rather just leave things the way they are and hope it stays that way but his wife has other ideas. She wants to hold a big celebration. The Quincentenary no less, and invite heads of state from all over Europe to join in the fun. At the same time a young border guard, tired of hearing the terrifying tales of the Republic decides to find out for himself. His journey into the unknown land almost costs him his life but he is rescued and while recovering from his injuries he falls in love with a Republican girl, what follows will change Bulvaria for ever.'This is a charming story, an adult folk tale set in an imaginary country on the borders of the giant and ever threatening Republic.The prose is delightful and describes this little country, its people and customs beautifully with great attention to detail. It is the perfect story for winter firesides as it follows the fate of the country as it opens its frontiers to tourists in order to generate much needed wealth. In good Orwellian fashion it has a strong political message for all developing states today'.Nicola Ratnett

Intrepid investigative journalist, Paul Thomas is back, risking life and limb in pursuit of justice and a good story. An innocent trip to a classic car show leads him into danger in unexpected places. Inevitably, he finds himself at sea again and there are more hazards underground.

This is the first of a planned trilogy of Paul Thomas capers. When a recently bereaved journalist meets up with an old friend for mutual comfort and sympathy, neither of them anticipate the events that follow. leading them into situations which threaten not only their own lives but those of their friends. Despite numerous brushes with the police, they rush headlong from one potentially disastrous situation to another. Noy without humour, the amateur crime busters entertain with their escapades.

When Alan Benton's business falls victim to the recession, he seeks solace in a run-down little house overlooking a remote Cornish fishing village where life, far from the worries of the rest of the world, seems idyllic. Until one day he has to call the Coast Guard.