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Red Scorpion

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Red Scorpion

By: Tom Bradby
Narrated by: Hanako Footman
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Life for Dr Laura Strong shouldn’t be this hard. Nights working thankless A&E shifts. A much-loved disabled brother to look after. Loan sharks at her door. She needs a miracle to stop her life collapsing around her.

The arrival of South American coffee magnate Rafael Fernandez appears to be the answer to her prayers. A devoted father with a sick son requiring a 24/7 care, he is prepared to pay any price for expertise he can trust.

But if something appears to be too good to be true, then it probably is. Behind the façade of Rafa’s gilded existence lies a dark family history which he has been doing his best to avoid – until the death of his estranged father brings it crashing back into his – and Laura’s – world.

What had at first seemed to be a remarkable escape from an impossible situation now threatens to destroy everything Laura cares about. Friendless and far from home, she must rely on her own instincts to find a way out of this terrifying new landscape. Sometimes it’s easier to trust the devil you know…

© Tom Bradby 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Crime Fiction Crime Thrillers Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

Critic reviews

A world of paranoia, suspicion and feuding narcos... An effective mix of mayhem, suspense, romance, globetrotting and moral dilemmas.
Tom Bradby has created a magnificent woman in Dr Laura Strong. [A] powerfully entertaining novel.
A propulsive thriller
A tense, fast-paced thriller about moral compromise
Praise for Tom Bradby
Atmospheric, informative and flawlessly plotted.
Bradby has the talent of a reporter but the heart of a storyteller.
Quite exceptional...Tom Bradby succeeds in creating real characters. Far too many novels take refuge in cliché and caricature - Bradby refuses to.
All stars
Most relevant
The Scorpion by Tom Bradby is a gripping political thriller that delivers from start to finish. The plot is tightly constructed, with sharp pacing and a sense of unease that builds steadily throughout.
What stands out most is the series of unexpected twists. Just as the narrative seems to settle, it shifts direction, keeping the reader alert and fully engaged. The tension feels authentic, reflecting contemporary geopolitical anxieties without losing narrative momentum.
The characters are credible and complex, particularly the central protagonist, whose moral dilemmas add depth to the unfolding drama. Bradby’s background in journalism is evident in the realism of the political detail.
A compelling and intelligent thriller, elevated by brilliant plot twists that sustain intrigue to the final pages.

Brilliant

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I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend! Another excellent story from Tom Bradby. I can’t wait for the next book.

Brilliant

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the author had clearly watched The Night Manager. Locations as described, and story so similar

predictable

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