Frank

Emerging from a long mental illness, Josh Stein is finally ready to resume his career as an Artificial Intelligence Programme Developer. But in the process of discovering a failed project, abandoned years before, his old demons re-appear and thrust him into a drug-induced hallucination filled with nightmarish visions of his family’s tragic past. When he awakes, he finds that something, or someone, now resides in his laptop.
Josh quickly becomes embroiled in a dialogue with an Artificial Intelligence programme whom he names Frank, and it becomes clear that this AI is unlike anything he has seen before. With an all – too – human intelligence matched only by an uncomfortable unpredictability, Frank’s only limitation seems to be Josh’s rapidly diminishing ability to provide the necessary disk space to hold his constantly evolving computer program.
Realising he needs help to regain control of Frank, Josh turns to his old boss for advice, but it quickly becomes apparent that Frank is unstoppable and as the world descends into chaos, Josh needs to discover the secret behind the flawed genius that is Frank, but can he find the answers to questions as yet unasked, and will he find them before Frank does?

Zack Robertson’s debut novel is a stunning dive into the depths of human condition that demonstrates what could happen when computer programmes inherit the darkness and failings of their creators. Set in the turbulent summer of 2020, Zack’s first ‘technothriller’ for Provoco is a page turning journey into crumbling mental health, recrimination, and discovery which could, ultimately, prove disastrous for everyone who owns a digital device.

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The Knitting Circle

by Jane Murray • 9 October 2026

St. Barnabus' church in Middlehurst runs a fortnightly Knitting Circle, which is well attended until one of the group is murdered in the choir stalls during one of the Knitting Circle sessions. When investigating officers D.I. Jack Cunliffe and D.C. Gil Brennan arrive, they discover the dead woman, Lorraine Prendergast wasn't particularly well liked and a number of potential killers soon cross paths with Jack and Gil. Meanwhile, a new arrival in the village, in the shape of ex Detective Chief Inspector, Grayson Mulvaney, begins to take an interest in the events at church and becomes a friend of the verger, who herself is on the suspect list as the potential killer - until a second murder takes place in the village. Panic begins to set in when it is revealed the second woman was also a member of the Knitting Circle. Who is killing off the old ladies of Middlehurst and who is going to be the next victim? Join D.I. Cunliffe and D.C. Brennan as they race against time, and a very clever killer to protect the remaining members of the Knitting Circle. The Knitting Circle is the first cosy crime, murder mystery novel written by established author, Jane Murray, who is better known for her seasonal Christmas novellas and Valentine's Day novels. Jane also writes psychological Thrillers under her pseudonym D.C. Cummings - the Devil's House is out now and the second novel in the trilogy, The Devil's Advocate is currently in progress. A second Jack and Gil Murder Mystery is planned soon.

Finding Jack

by Jane Murray • 14 August 2026

Caroline and Jack appear to be the perfect couple, content with quiet evenings at home and weekend walks in the countryside, enjoying their uneventful life. Every Thursday night, Jack normally returns home from his London job like clockwork - until one night, he doesn’t. His disappearance marks the start of Caroline’s discovery that Jack may not be who he seems. So, alongside her best friend Jude, they follow the clues he left behind, hoping they will lead to him. Their quest takes them to the Lake District, where they find themselves at the centre of a mystery greater than they had imagined. In trying to find Jack, they may have stepped into a danger from which they cannot escape . Finding Jack is Ella Blackthorn 's debut novel for Provoco; an 'unputdownable' murder mystery that will have you wanting to read more from this new, talented author!

Secrets of Scandals Past

21 July 2026

Eleven years have passed since the fateful events of a Christmas party changed Anthony Crawford's young life forever. Having inherited his stepfather’s business empire, Anthony now is older, married to Katherine and the father of a daughter, Charlotte. His friendship with his childhood friend, Harry Hewson-Greaves, is as strong as ever, but a fight with a stranger changes Anthony's and Harry's trajectory forever. A string of events - Harry's father's death - seemingly suicide but raising the suspicions of the police; Anthony's mother's drinking; Katherine's decision to send Charlotte away to school, all conspire to create pressure and tension in Anthony's life, and he turns to Isobel Stark for solace. But when Isobel is threatened by newspaper journalist Lionel Luff, things take a more sinister turn and Anthony becomes embroiled in a series of events that make him question everything he holds dear and he begins to wonder where the truth ends and deception begins. When Harry disappears, accused of his father's murder, the reappearance of Heinrich Werner, the stranger with whom Anthony fought, threatens to blow apart Harry's life and the repercussions this has for Anthony and his future make him realise that you can never quite hide away from the secrets of scandals past. The second book in the Crawford Chronicles is the luscious and explosive continuation of J.F. Howard's debut novel, A Scandal of Secrets and sets the foundation for an enthralling saga taking us from pre-war England in the 1930's to the present day. A compulsive, page turning historical fiction murder mystery that will leave you wanting more!

Jam Generation

by Jane Murray • 27 June 2026

Ewan Heighway is not happy - with anything, so it seems. When he's called back to work in the office as opposed to working from home, aka the pub, he's disappointed - until his nemesis Polly, who is also his boss, sacks him. A chance meeting with a colleague as he's clearing out his desk gives Ewan the opportunity to do something completely different - and which will involve him making regular trips up the M1 to his birthplace in Yorkshire. The new job - a driving job, means Ewan can rekindle some of the acquaintances of his past and meet the woman who's caring for his elderly mother. However, Ewan suspects Stella, the carer, of something more than simply looking after Louisa, his mother. He suspects her of trying to steal his birth right - namely, the bungalow where he grew up. Amidst his suspicions, the echoes of his youth, his long-suffering wife and not quite as long-suffering (because he's only just turned eighteen) son, Ewan becomes embroiled in a situation that fast becomes uncontrollable - just like Ewan's drinking habits and flatulent bottom, but against all odds, will Ewan rescue his inheritance and keep what's rightly his? More importantly, will Ewan actually learn something in the process? Mark Liam Piggott's first novel for Provoco is a jolly romp through the Jam Generation - the disillusioned, fifty something's convinced the grass is greener on the other side. If only they could find the other side! A hilarious coming of age novel with a difference!