The Numbers - December 2026 Crime Collective

About the book

FIRST YOU SEE THEM. THEN YOU DISAPPEAR.

It started with the numbers. Spray-painted in red on street signs, outside homes and train stations.

Then came the messages. At random, thousands upon thousands of complete strangers received a text on their phones: 10 15 is coming. It wasn't a clue - it was a warning.

Last night, the first twelve were taken from their homes. No ransom, no note, just the numbers scrawled on their bedroom walls.

Discovering who - or what - is behind the kidnappings, and what the numbers could mean, quickly becomes paramount, as the entire country waits on high alert for news of their fate. Anyone could be responsible, and anyone could be next.

One thing is clear - this is only the beginning.

A stunning debut filled with action, twists, and turns, THE NUMBERS is a conspiracy thriller made for this moment. You might think you're keeping up-but you're not. Read on-and watch your back! -- Gregg Hurwitz, #1 Sunday Times bestseller of Orphan X

A brilliantly clever conspiracy thriller. Smart, sinister and deviously plotted, this is a remarkable thriller. Highly recommended. -- M. W. Craven, bestselling author of the Washington Poe series

High-octane, whip-smart, and totally gripping - The Numbers adds up to a brilliant read! -- Julia Chapman, author of the Dales Detective series

The Numbers is a remarkably assured debut thriller - pacy, original and truly gripping. It grabbed me by the throat from page one and didn't let go till the end... -- Ajay Chowdhury, author of the Detective Kamil Rahman series

Starts at a hundred miles an hour and just gets faster. Maintains its joyously exhilarating pace from the first page to the last. -- Chris Brookmyre, bestselling author of The Cracked Mirror