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MALTA-BASED author Mark Grenside has launched two new thrillers, The Bastion and Sunset Circus, continuing the Marcus Riley series that began with his acclaimed debut, Fall Out. Pub- lished by Sharpe Books on 21 July, the new titles arrive alongside a revised edition of Fall Out, as part of a six-book deal that will see a further three novels published over the coming months. The series follows film producer Marcus Riley and his partner, de- signer Melinda (Mako) de Turris, as each new project pulls them into a web of conspiracy, betrayal and buried history. Fall Out was praised by award-winning pro- ducer Alan Moloney as a "tautly written, entertaining thriller that will keep the reader turning the pages right till the very end", and one that "sits somewhere between The Da Vinci Code and Indiana Jones". In The Bastion, a Lloyd's of Lon- don kidnap and ransom negotia- tor turns predator, using a stolen list of the world's most heavily insured individuals – hidden in- side the film reels of a Hollywood blockbuster – to set a global con- spiracy in motion. Marcus and Mako race through Malta's un- derground tunnels to stop a sto- len fortune falling into the wrong hands, in a story that moves from the Aleutian Islands and Los An- geles to the Calabrian Mountains, with a third of the novel set in Malta. In Sunset Circus, Olga Miksa rules Nevada's most feared crime family on two buried secrets: a fortune in smuggled Romanov treasure and an act of Cold War betrayal that bought the family's immunity. When an old friend hands Marcus a cryptic riddle and turns up dead hours later, he and Mako are drawn into a world of mobsters, traitors and lethal loyal- ties, and a truth that could rewrite history. The Bastion and Sunset Circus The Bastion and Sunset Circus Like all of Grenside's thrillers, the new titles blend fact and fic- tion. Each is built around a real historical thread – from Yamash- ita's gold to the tunnels beneath Valletta and the lost Romanov treasure – and every story plays out inside the film industry in which the author spent much of his career. Grenside, who lives in Malta, spent years as a Lloyd's of Lon- don kidnap, ransom and product extortion insurance broker be- fore joining Jim Henson and The Muppets©, going on to create and produce numerous films, televi- sion series and mini-series. He also writes the humorous 'And another thing' blog at www.an- danotherthing.com, which has subscribers in more than 40 coun- tries. "Marcus Riley is a film produc- er, and every plot plays out inside the industry I actually worked in," says Grenside. "I plan each thriller backwards from a piece of histo- ry I want to use, then build the story and the characters around it. Mixing a true but almost un- believable fact with an accurate insider's view of movie-making is what makes these books such fun to write, and, I hope, to read. "For The Bastion, I was great- ly helped by Marc Zimmerman and Daniel Cilia on underground Valletta, and by many friends here in Malta on the myth and histo- ry of these wonderful islands," adds Grenside. "I hope those who read it not only enjoy the ride and the surprises that come with my thrillers, but give a knowing nod to some of the details – maybe even recognise a few faces." The first three books in the se- ries are available at Agenda outlets across Malta and Gozo. "Follow- ing the success of Mark's debut novel Fall Out a few years ago, we are delighted to be bringing his two new books The Bastion and Sunset Circus, to readers in Malta," says Michael Vella De Fremeaux, Agenda's Chief Trade Books Officer. "With The Bastion set in Malta, we are particularly excited about its strong local con- nection. I'm thrilled to see both books on the shelves of our out- lets across Malta and Gozo and am confident that they will be very well-received." The fourth and fifth books in the Marcus Riley series are due out by the end of the year, with the sixth to follow in spring. The Bastion, Sunset Circus and the revised edition of Fall Out by Mark Grenside are pub- lished by Sharpe Books and are available now in paperback and on Kindle via Amazon, and in Agenda Bookshops across Malta and Gozo. For more information about the author and the books visit markgrenside.com GENERAL LITERATURE – A book of short stories by Leonard Schembri - "The unfolding story of the Holy Grail & other stories" available from all Agenda book- shops and outlets. HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION MARSALFORN, Gozo - holiday apartments for short or long lets with magnificent sea-views. Call 21556021, 27556021, 79426883 SERVICES PLASTERING & RENOVATIONS - For all type of plastering and renovation call Matthew on 79727779 or send a message on fb: MA Plastering & Renovations. VACANCIES VACANCIES - Signal 8 Security Malta Ltd have the following vacancies available: customer care clerks, security guards, labourers and cleaners. Applicants should be customer care orientated, smart and flexible for shift work. Email your CV to: hr@sig- CLASSIFIEDS info@mediatoday.com.mt 8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 OCTOBER 2026 BOOKS & CLASSIFIEDS Malta-based author expands Hollywood thriller series with two new titles The Bastion and Sunset Circus by Mark Grenside are now available, alongside a newly revised edition of Fall Out Mark Grenside (Photo: Michael Calleja)