Lightning scoops cyber-thriller sequel

Eye Books imprint Lightning Books will publish the sequel to The Exphoria Code, the acclaimed cyber-thriller by Antony Johnston.

Editor-at-large Scott Pack acquired UK & Commonwealth rights (excluding Canada) to The Tempus Project from Sarah Such at the Sarah Such Literary Agency.

In The Exphoria Code MI6 officer and elite hacker Brigitte Sharp foiled a terror attack on London which used stolen military software and consumer drone technology to deliver a ‘dirty bomb’. 

For The Tempus Project, ‘Bridge’ is back, “battling a series of hacks and ransomware attacks, masterminded by a hacker known only as ‘Tempus’ who targets politicians and government officials with impunity. Realising that this campaign is linked to a cyber-attack on the London G20 summit, she is drawn into the dark-web world of cryptocurrencies, Russian hackers and an African rebel militia,” said the publisher.

Pack said: “All of us at Lightning Books were hoping that Antony would want to continue writing about Brigitte Sharp, so signing up book two, The Tempus Project, was a no-brainer.”

Johnston has written more than 30 graphic novels and comic series. The blockbuster movie "Atomic Blonde", starring Charlize Theron, is based on his graphic novel The Coldest City. 

“Brigitte Sharp is paranoid, chaotic, brilliant, messy, emotional, and intense — in other words, a thoroughly modern hero. My aim with The Tempus Project is to declare that Bridge, and the effects of online hacks on espionage, are both here to stay,” said Johnston. “So I’m delighted to be working with Lightning again, under Scott's watchful eye, for her next cutting-edge mission.”

Such added: “The Tempus Project is an exhilarating, heart-racing read from Antony Johnston, an immensely talented thriller writer. I’m so pleased that Scott and the team at Lightning Books are publishing the new Brigitte Sharp novel on their vibrant list.”

Lightning Books will publish The Tempus Project in the spring of 2020.