Baptism - Hardcover

Max Kinnings was born in Shropshire in 1966. He attended Shrewsbury School before studying criminology at the Polytechnic of Central London. Prior to writing fulltime, Max worked in the music and entertainment industries for twelve years devising advertising and marketing campaigns for music festivals, tours, comedy shows and West End theatre productions. His first novel, Hitman, was published in 2000 and described by The Times as "a highly accomplished, confident first novel." Daily Mirror called The Fixer, published in 2002, as a "fascinatingly off the wall... a funny and stylish thriller." A collaboration with actor/comedian, Rik Mayall, resulted in Max co-writing, as an uncredited ghost-writer, Rik's spoof autobiography, Bigger Than Hitler--Bigger Than Christ which spent six weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller list.

A number of screenwriting projects followed with commissions from various television and film producers including Granada Television. In 2009, Max wrote the libretto for the musical, Hooked, which ran in London (Theatre 503), Edinburgh (Fringe) and at the Greater Orlando Actors' Theatre.

Inspired by the experience of being trapped in the Tube train behind the one in which Jean Charles de Menezes was tragically shot, Max wrote the first of a series of thriller novels featuring hostage negotiator, Ed Mallory. Baptism was described by The Times as "a tense blockbuster with worryingly credible characters." It has been optioned by award-winning director/producer, Phil Hawkins. Kinnings lives in Oxford with his family.

"Baptism is a top class thriller... This book takes a well-established idea--think The Taking of Pelham 123 --and adds some highly original twists... [a] fast-paced and exciting thriller."―San Francisco Book Review

"A greased-lightning thriller that will doubtless make a perfect summer movie--preferably one to sit through on the hottest day of the year."―Kirkus Reviews

"A tense blockbuster with worryingly credible characters."―Peter Millar, The Times

"An exciting page turner."―Bestseller's World

"With lots of violence, steadily building tension, and an exciting finale, this one will find eager readers among James Patterson's fans."―Booklist

"Kinnings's thriller propels readers into the murk of London's Underground... Kinnings offers keen insights into the psychological ramifications of desperate hostage situations as he ratchets up the tension to near-unbearable levels."―Publishers Weekly (starred)

"Nerve-racking, impeccably researched... ratchets up the suspense to an almost unbearable level"―Mystery People Magazine

"This a tense, power packed novel... a fun read, full of mystery, complex plotting and intrigue. That Kinnings makes the whole thing work in such a tight space speaks to his skilled writing and, no doubt, some fine editing. Definitely recommended. Had me always wanting to read more and that's very rare these days."―Gumshoe Review

"This thriller has more twists than a bagful of snakes--and as much bite... A must read."―Peterborough Telegraph

"Baptism is an exhilarating action-packed thriller"―Harriet Kalusner, Midwest Book Review