A woman hiding a deadly secret. And the man who went in search of adventure, but found himself in danger ...

Gary Nelson has a routine for the commute to his rather dull job in the city. Each day, he watches as a woman on the train applies her make up in a ritual he now knows by heart. He's never dared to strike up a conversation . . . but maybe one day.

Then one evening, on the late train to Gipsy Hill, the woman invites him to take the empty seat beside her. Fiddling with her mascara, she holds up her mirror and Gary reads the words 'HELP ME' scrawled in sticky black letters on the glass.

From that moment, Gary's life is turned on its head. He finds himself on the run from the Russian mafia, the FSB and even the Metropolitan Police - all because of what this mysterious young woman may have witnessed. In the race to find out the truth, Gary discovers that there is a lot more to her than meets the eye . . .

Readers love Alan Johnson and The Late Train to Gipsy Hill

'A fast-moving plot ... expertly told. The fact it comes from the pen of a former Home Secretary makes the rich security detail all the more powerful' Alastair Campbell

'Espionage, the Russian Mafia and a gorgeous female on a train with a deadly secret' Fiona Phillips

'Johnson's writing style is easy, relaxed, self-deprecating . . . impressive' Observer

'Johnson writes wonderfully' Telegraph

'This boy can write . . .' The Spectator