Welcome to the Gambler’s Den where every night is a party, and every day is a battle with the law…

Den of Shadows

While fighting off poverty in the blistering desert heat a travelling casino offers one night of solace. One chance to change your fortunes. But once on board there is more to the show than meets the eye: enter Franco, the elaborate ringleader, Wyld the stowaway thief and Misu the fire breathing showgirl.

In a kingdom ruled by the law Franco ensures his den remains in line. But when he’s faced with saving the fate of the train, and those on board, he may be forced to break his own rules. Life on the den isn’t just a job but a way of life and once you’re in you’ll never be able to leave.

Den of Stars

The Gambler’s Den lies in ruins, its staff scattered across the Sand Sea, all but a memory of the minds of its past patrons. But when the Morning Star appears, ruled by a mysterious figure known only as the Hare, the comparisons can’t be helped. Who is this larger-than-life character? Why do the showgirls wear masks? What are they hiding? The answer…they should be dead.

Franco and Misu were safe only in their anonymity, but with Franco gone Misu must find him – jeopardising all they have built. In order to save the man she trusts Misu must put her faith in the villain

Wilheim does not forget disobedience lightly, and Misu’s was a great betrayal, so now he will call in his debt, and his revenge on the staff of the Morning Star.

Den of Smoke

There is always someone ready to take the title villain…

Jackdaw may once have been a part of Willheim’s gang but now he’s looking for a new life, a free life.

But will he be able to shake his past for good, or will he end up in a worse position than he was before?

CHRISTOPHER BYFORD

was born in 1980 in Wellingborough, England. He learnt to walk whilst holding onto a Golden Retriever and fondly remembers the days of BMX bikes and conker matches. He left college to suffer as an IT Manager for a small multinational before, in his words, escaping to Gloucester. After working for some large tech companies he seized the opportunity to become a full time author. It was the best thing he’s ever done.

Also by Christopher Byford

The Gambler's Den Series

Den of Shadows

Den of Stars

Den of Smoke

Den of Shadows Collection

Christopher Byford

ONE PLACE. MANY STORIES

Copyright

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd.

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

First published in Great Britain by HQ in 2018

Copyright © Christopher Byford 2018

Christopher Byford asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

E-book Edition © December 2018 ISBN: 9780008314446

Version: 2018-11-01

Contents

Cover

Blurb

Author Bio

Also by

Title Page

Copyright

Den of Shadows

Den of Stars

Den of Smoke

Bonus Chapter

Dear Reader

Keep Reading

About the Publisher

Den of Shadows

Acknowledgements

Den of Shadows was the product of grit, determination and outright stubbornness on my part but like all things, required the input of others to become what you read now. Not thanking these individuals would be inappropriate.

My father, Allan, who seeded the concept for Den of Shadows in my youth despite being completely unaware of this.

My wife Emma. No greater muse could there be for someone such as I. You helped me forge the underlying concept into something respectable.

Corinne, Hayley & Debs, for providing much needed spirit for some characters.

All the great team at HQ for their hard work, especially Hannah who saw something worthwhile to share to the world.

And to you, reading this now. Thank you for coming along for the journey.

To all those who proved that chance, luck

and good fortune can pay off, no matter the stakes.

For my mother and father.

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