The debut crime thriller from award-winning broadcaster and journalist Steph McGovern.

'Thrilling, captivating and full of heart' – Giovanna Fletcher, author of Billy and Me

'Brilliant! I love how it describes all the behind the scenes of TV and I had no idea where it was going. So clever. So good' – Kimberley Walsh

Your child has been kidnapped.

You're live on television.

Going live in 10, 9, 8 . . .
Today is a huge day for TV reporter Rose’s career. A live interview with one of the most powerful men in the country, on one of the nation’s biggest TV shows.

7, 6, 5 . . .
But, when she hears an unfamiliar voice in her ear, she knows something is very wrong.

4, 3, 2 . . .
Her earpiece has been hacked. She’s live on air in the middle of the interview. They tell her they have kidnapped her family.

1
And, in order to protect them, Rose must do exactly what the hijacker says. They are in control now.

* * *

'A pacy, witty, engaging thriller, entertaining and delightfully authentic, but hard-hitting and thought-provoking too. I can't wait for you all to read it' – Ann Cleeves, author of the Shetland and Vera Stanhope series

'Fascinating and authentic peek behind the scenes . . . Steph McGovern lifts the lid and hooks us in with an irresistible set up' – Val McDermid, author of Past Lying

A pacy, witty, engaging thriller, entertaining and delightfully authentic, but hard-hitting and thought-provoking too. I can't wait for you all to read it. -- Ann Cleeves, author of the Vera Stanhope and Shetland crime series
Fascinating and authentic peek behind the scenes ... Steph McGovern lifts the lid and hooks us in with an irresistible set up. -- Val McDermid, author of Past Lying
A fantastic premise. I was totally hooked from the dramatic start. Deadline is racy and entertaining with a thought provoking core. I’m already looking forward to reading more Rose Steedman adventures. -- Cecelia Ahern, author of P.S. I Love You
Brilliant! I love how it describes all the behind the scenes of TV and I had no idea where it was going. So clever. So good. -- Kimberley Walsh
Pacy, clever, funny, believable dialogue, great plot. -- Simon Rimmer
Thrilling, funny and an insightful look behind the TV scenes as well as a powerful exploration of class and power. -- Jo Callaghan, author of In the Blink of an Eye

Steph McGovern is an award-winning broadcaster who currently presents The Rest Is Money podcast with Robert Peston. Steph has worked in journalism for over twenty years, eight of them as part of the BBC Breakfast family. She went on to present her own BAFTA-nominated live daily show, Steph’s Packed Lunch, on Channel 4 and is a regular Have I Got News for You panelist and host. Steph is an avid crime reader and has interviewed countless authors including Val McDermid, Ann Cleeves, Hillary Clinton, Harlan Coben, Lee Child and Don Winslow, as well as judging the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year award at the Harrogate Crime Festival since 2019. Deadline is her first novel.