In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa chats to bestselling thriller author Jack Jordan about his brand new novel, Deception — a tense, addictive thriller that asks one terrifying question:
How far would you go to save your child?
Jack discusses:
- the inspiration behind Deception
- writing high-stakes moral dilemmas
- balancing relentless tension with emotional depth
- why readers become emotionally involved in his books
- the pressure of deadlines and perfectionism
- TV adaptations of his novels
- working with Elisabeth Moss on the adaptation of Conviction
- how his books became known for their impossible ethical questions
Philippa and Jack also talk about:
- dream and nightmare writing locations
- writing while emotionally “living” the scenes
- airport chaos as the ultimate writing nightmare
- thriller pacing and giving readers room to breathe
- the importance of book cover design
- reader bookshelves and collectible editions
- why Jack rewrites drafts obsessively before anyone sees them
About Deception
Emma and Miles are desperate to save their son, who urgently needs life-changing surgery they cannot afford.
Their last hope is a mysterious organisation called The Levels — a dangerous competition where contestants commit escalating crimes for escalating rewards.
But they are not the only players.
As the stakes rise, Deception forces both its characters — and its readers — to confront impossible moral questions:
What would you do to save the person you love most?
Topics Covered
- Psychological thrillers
- Moral dilemma fiction
- Writing process and perfectionism
- TV and streaming adaptations
- Publishing deadlines
- Crime fiction
- Book cover branding
- Working-class journeys into publishing
- Reader communities
- Thriller pacing
Memorable Moments
- Jack describing writing deadlines as “life or death”
- The Italian lakeside villa dream writing retreat
- The airport nightmare writing scenario
- “A panic attack in two covers”
- Jack revealing nobody sees his real first drafts
- The emotional intensity of writing thriller scenes
- The revelation that Deception has been optioned for television
Biscuit Verdict
Official writing fuel:
- Bourbons
- Four-finger Kit Kats
- Bonus points for accidental all-chocolate Kit Kats
- Strong support for peanut butter Kit Kats
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