Having read and loved the author’s debut novel – Running Out Of Time – last year, I was very excited to receive his new read and had very high expectations for it. To say that those expectations were met is to do Simon Fox a huge disservice – here is a thriller that really does thrill. A book that is so action-packed and full of threat and danger that towards the end I could feel my heart pounding as the adrenaline it generated coursed through my veins. I absolutely loved it and know you will too. It’s a Monday night when we meet Archie, one which he is expecting to be very routine and ordinary as he and his father challenge one another to open safes – racing against one another to see who can be quicker. This week, however, things are very different when his police officer father fails to come home on time from work. After heading to bed, Archie is woken just before midnight by a frantic call from his dad telling him to gather a few things together quickly and head outside to meet him. Sneaking out of the house, Archie finds his father and the two of them hastily drive away as Archie tries to work out what is going on from his father’s panicked comments. Telling his son that they need to go away for a few days, Archie’s dad drives them to the railway station and tells him to buy a ticket to Brighton but to avoid letting it be obvious they are travelling together. Reaching the platform, it is not long before the train arrives but before they can both board the police arrive and arrest Archie’s dad, leaving him to travel alone to the coastal town. Hiding in the train toilet, Archie finds a pair of house keys with an address attached in his father’s possessions and decides to head to the house to lie low. But that is not all he finds when he stumbles across a diamond necklace – one he recognises as an extremely valuable piece of jewellery – and a list of names. With the police on his tail, can Archie get to the bottom of why his father had the diamonds and uncover the truth before he is arrested? Or worse… I guess many of us have tried picking locks at some point – I was never successful but that idea of accessing places or items forbidden to us is a powerful one which is used to great effect here. Archie and his father’s race nights start as harmless fun – at least as far as Archie is concerned – a way for the two of them to share time together and bond after the death of Archie’s mother. When his father is arrested and Archie discovers the diamonds, he suddenly enters a very different world to the one he is familiar with – one full of master criminals and bent coppers, of whom it appears his father may well be one. As the story progresses, and Archie starts to piece together exactly what has been going on from the scant clues he has been left, his quest to clear his father’s name leads him to meet those on both sides of the law, with the distinction between them becoming blurred very quickly. Pushing his skills and his luck to their absolute limits to gather the evidence he needs, he finds himself in ever-increasing danger so incredibly described that I found myself terrified for him and quite literally on the edge of my seat with my heart in my mouth, as I could not see how he could possibly resolve things. An astoundingly good read, this is perfect for Year 6 upwards into KS3 and, with its fast pace and many cliffhangers, would make a fabulous shared read – one I defy anyone, child or adult, not to become hooked on from the very first chapter. With Simon Fox’s name most definitely one to look out for, I for one cannot wait to see what he writes next.

Simon Fox's debut last year, 'Running Out of Time', was an excellent high concept thriller (my review here) With 'Deadlock' he has succeeded in making an even pacier, even more gripping thrill-ride. This is perfect for able readers, or early teens, wanting something grittier and mature with real-world consequences and complex plot-lines.  'Deadlock' grips you from its lock-picking opening chapter and it doesn't loosen in its hold. This is very much a sophisticated tale of a young fugitive trying to prove his father's innocence. The police are never far behind. Dangers abound at every turn. Twists add depth and unravel the mystery. And time is ticking. It's an addictive read. Archie himself is street-smart and brave. And I especially liked the subplot of him trying to overcome his anxieties, his traumas, as the perils mount around him. We learn lots about his past as the story unfolds at break-neck speed. Brighton is a great setting too, and as I've visited many times, the story was all the more vivid for it. Simon Fox excels in grounding the plot in reality - it feels very adult, in a way that will really appeal to Upper Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 readers. Everything connects, leading to a nail-biting climax and a satisfying resolution.  Simon Fox is a rising star in children's thriller writing. I look forward to what he will write next!

Deadlock By Simon Fox Published by Nosy Crow Ltd Simon Fox writes with great flare and passion drawing you into the mind and journey of a father and his son. Archie Blake loves spending “quality time” with his dad, but who would have thought that teaching him to pick locks and safes would be a life saving skill? But when a diamond necklace is stolen and his dad is arrested, Archie has to use all his strength, knowledge and lock picking skills to “do the right thing.” Archie realises the only way to prove Dad's innocence and get him out of prison is to go on the run. Using everything he's learned alongside his ability to trust is the only way he can uncover the truth. But finding himself deeply tangled in the criminal underworld, Archie discovers knowing who to trust is a challenge worth fighting for. Will he see what's right or wrong? Will he trust or will he be fooled? Will Archie be able to find a way out before it's too late? Another page turner from Simon Fox, full of drama, questionable truths and life changing decisions. A must for all young thrill seekers to enjoy. Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature. #Netgalley #nosycrow @SimonFoxAuthor

Last summer, Simon kept us gripped with his sci-fi adventure debut, Running Out Of Time so I was absolutely thrilled to get a copy of his 2nd book, Deadlock. This new story is such a triumph - it ups the ante once again as he has created an explosive, Line of Duty-style thriller where no-one can be trusted and it’s packed with stunning twists. It had me hooked as there are so many moments where you’re left with your heart in your mouth thinking, ‘How can he possibly get out of this situation?’ but through Simon’s intricate, sophisticated storytelling, it’s amazing to see what happens next to Archie.

Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy. I have previously read Running Out of Time by Simon Fox and thought it was a fantastically well paced thriller for young readers so I had rather hoped Deadlock would deliver something similar for me. My verdict: Deadlock is a read in one sitting, brilliantly plotted, certainly fast paced thriller. Archie & Bunny are great characters and I would love to see a follow up to this book. In fact if I am honest I would like to be reading the follow up now. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone aged 9 to 109! Simon Fox we need more books from you!