Morcan Books & Films

News Release: 1500hrs, 31 Oct., 2012 PST:

New Zealand-born author and former Waterstones bookseller James Morcan has had the pleasure of seeing his international thriller novel, The Ninth Orphan, rise overnight into Amazon’s Top 20 Bestseller List for Technothrillers.

James says he drew on his invaluable UK experience.

James, who is based in Sydney, Australia, co-authored the novel with his father Lance, who is based in New Zealand. Together, the prolific father-and-son writing team have co-authored three novels, all published by Down Under publishing company Sterling Gate Books.

The Ninth Orphan has been described by one reviewer as “a high-octane thriller with an edge”. Merging fact with fiction, it fits the current trend toward stories about shadow organizations rumoured to exist in the real world.

While the novel takes readers on a trip around the globe, most of the action takes place on either side of the English Channel. London locations include Heathrow International Airport, Hyde Park, Kensington and South Kensington, the East End and the MI5 headquarters. Other UK settings include the historical St. Michael’s Mount, in Cornwall.

James says he was able to draw on his UK work experience – gained while with Waterstones’ Old Brompton Road branch, in South Kensington.

“That experience was invaluable in scoping the novel,” he says. “British readers in particular seem to resonate with the London and UK scenes.”

James says Britain’s connection with Japanese-plundered World War Two treasure – commonly referred to as Yamashita’s Gold – is highlighted in the novel, and that has also intrigued readers.

“That was a little-known event involving trillions of pounds worth of stolen gold. Fearing Germany was going to invade, Britain shipped the bulk of its gold reserves, including the Royal Family’s massive stockpile, to Singapore. When Singapore suddenly fell to the Japanese in 1942, Britain lost nearly all of its gold supplies overnight. This makes for an interesting sub-plot in our novel.”

The Morcans, who are also film producers, have put The Ninth Orphan into development as a feature film with their production company, Morcan Motion Pictures.

The novel is the first book in The Orphan Trilogy. Book two, The Orphan Factory, was published recently; meanwhile, book three is scheduled for release in 2013.

Available as a kindle ebook and trade paperback.

The Amazon.com kindle link for The Ninth Orphan is: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056I4FKC

Here’s the Amazon UK kindle link: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0056I4FKC

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I judge a book by its ability to paint a picture in my mind with the words the author chooses and The Ninth Orphan is a 3D blockbuster. It slowly draws you in and keeps you hooked until you realize you’re at the end of the book. I started the book this morning and just couldn’t put it down…good thing it was the perfect rainy day to get wrapped up in a good book. Can’t wait to ready the next book in the Trilogy! The Orphan Factory

Our international thriller The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) has topped another Goodreads’ list – this time for ‘Thrillers You Must Read’.

Here’s the link to that list. It makes for interesting reading and you’ll find some more great books: http://www.goodreads.com/list/user_vote/1515728

Here’s the Top 5 on that same list as at 11 October 2012 PST:

1		The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) by James Morcan 4.21 avg rating — 101 ratings Sterling rated it 5 stars see review	My rating: edit my review  shelf: read
2		The Bourne Ultimatum (Jason Bourne, #3) by Robert Ludlum 3.91 avg rating — 17,185 ratings Sterling rated it 4 stars see review	My rating: edit my review  shelf: read
3		A for Argonaut by Michael J. Stedman (Goodreads Author) 4.00 avg rating — 7 ratings Sterling added it to to-read see review	My rating: edit my review  shelf: to-read ( 16th )
4		Night of the Assassin by Russell Blake (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 117 ratings Sterling rated it 4 stars see review	My rating: edit my review  shelf: read
5		Bangkok Burn by Simon Royle (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 35 ratings Sterling rated it 4 stars see review	My rating: edit my review  shelf: read