Stephen Franks's Blog

Now available on Audible:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Milan-Contra...

I have promotional codes for anyone who wants a free audio version....just drop me a line.

Happy Christmas

Stephen Franks

Just been told that The Milan Contract made the second round of the Bridport (top 10% of all entries).

Got to be pleased with that I guess!

The Milan Contract is available to all NetGalley members:

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/?te...

Review by:
Ian Molloy - Reviewer
Last updated on 28 May 2021
My Recommendation

The Milan ContractThank you to NetGalley, Stephen Franks (author) and Mooncatbooks (publisher) for giving me the opportunity to read The Milan Contract.

For a first novel by Stephen Franks it is a "ripper". I loved it.

To start off I thought hang on a minute there are way too many characters continually being introduced, how am I going to keep track of them all. Yes, there were quite a few characters, but the brilliant way they were described, it was easy to keep track of who was who.

Lieutenant Raphael Conza was the main policeman but he was very able supported by a few others. The book was set in Italy, but it also encompassed, UK and Germany among other countries.

I will not say too much about the book or plot, but if you get a chance to read this one, do yourself a favor and make sure you get it.

I would love to see some sequels to this and make it into a mini series. A couple of the main players may have already left the scene, but I am sure it could be developed further. If so, I would love to read some more. I will keep my eye open for more books by Stephen Franks.

I have no hesitation in giving this the highest rating of 5 stars from me.

Now available on NetGalley:

https://www.netgalley.co.uk/catalog/p...

Lukas Stolz’s life in Germany after the wall fell seemed surreal. He couldn’t ignore the widespread sense of optimism, nor fail to hear the talk of ‘hope’ and ‘opportunity’. They were all deluded, of course. The people had surrendered. Confessed their collective failure. They need only prostrate themselves before the altar of the holy trinity: ‘money, choice and liberty’. Absolution was the gift of the west. And the west’s sanctimony in pardoning them of their sins was unfettered.

Stephen Franks, The Milan Contract

Review submitted by Nikki Libby
Reedsy Discovery
02 Feb 21

*****
The Milan Contract by Stephen Franks kept me on the edge of my couch for the entire book. It is full of action and intrigue. The book starts with Lukas Stolz stepping outside of his hotel one sunny morning and getting gunned down. His death looks cut and dry, a mugging that went wrong. But suddenly people go missing, end up dead, and henchmen are searching the streets for people. Maybe this isn't a mugging gone wrong after all.
Lieutenant Raphael Conza doesn’t think this case makes any sense. Nothing is adding up, the evidence is not where it is supposed to be, and he’s rushing to find out who the witness was so he can keep her safe. Young, Nyala Abebe, doesn’t know what she saw, nor does it make sense. What she does know, is that someone is trying to find her. As she tries to keep her family and loved ones safe, she struggles with what is right and wrong. She agrees to help Lt. Conza, but only if he promises to listen to the whole story before he jumps to conclusions. Lt. Conza finds himself reaching out to old colleagues and traveling to other countries to try to make sense of what he has been told and the videos he has seen. What does one do when the story or evidence doesn’t match the facts in front of you?
My favourite character has to be Lt Conza. He follows his gut instinct and keeps his promises. He does not stop searching for the truth, even when his job and life are on the line. He steps out of the box if only for a short time, to find the truth, the murderers, and the history behind why everything came about. He is the type of friend and colleague everyone wants.
I am awarding this book 5 stars. It is well-written and well-edited. It does contain some profanity. As a history lover myself, I loved that it flashed back in time with true historical facts. I was a child who lived in Germany on November 9, 1989, when the wall came down. That also happens to be my birthday so it was a double celebration for me and my family. I highly recommend this book to mature readers who love intrigue and history written into one book.

The Milan Contract by Stephen Franks




Author Review
Seems a little strange being invited to review one's own book, but rather than telling you what I think of it, I will give you some background on how it came about.

I was in the RAF and visiting Milan for professional reasons. My train back to Paris was due to leave early one Sunday morning and as I stood on the steps of the hotel, a lone cyclist carrying a pannier of bread rode by. In that instant, the book (in almost the exact same form it is now), was written in my head. It may seem a little odd, but it was as if the book was already there - waiting, and I just happened to come along to 'hear' it. Strange but true - or maybe not so strange? Perhaps this is how many books reach book form......?

I have loved every moment of having the privilege to tell this story and can only hope that you enjoy reading it as much.



View all my reviews

I have recently published my first novel. It's called The Milan Contract and is an adult crime fiction set in Italy and the UK.
The Milan Contract

Love to hear your thoughts if you get a chance to read it.