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Campbell Armstrong

The Scottish author Campbell Armstrong was a highly regarded writer of thriller and mystery fiction, producing a large and impressive quantity of work during his lifetime. Born Thomas Campbell Black, he’d build a name and brand for himself, giving his work a sense of political intrigue that really worked at building suspense. Translated worldwide, he would reach an international audience, resonating with readers from all backgrounds, regardless of where they were from.

Creating a number of extremely well received thriller series during his time, he was one of the top ranked authors of his genre for a long period. Setting up characters and stories that have left a lasting impact, his novels would always have something to say at the heart of them. Leaving behind a legacy that is still felt to this day, he continues to inspire many writers to follow in his footsteps with his work.

Early and Personal Life:

Born on the 25th of February in 1944, Thomas Campbell Black would grow up in the city of Glasgow, in Scotland. Showing a passion for writing from an early age, he would go on to develop both his voice and his style as an author. With something to say, he’d bring a lot of his own character to his work, making it both genuine and heartfelt in the process.

Attending the University of Sussex in England, he would soon graduate with a degree in philosophy, which would help him on his way. Teaching in various positions himself over the years, he’d also be constantly writing, bringing his own ideas to the forefront as he evolved his style. Living between the England and the United States, he’d see a lot over the course of his life, all experiences which would go back into his novels.

Working for some time at the State University of New York based in Oswego, he’d teach creative writing there between the years of 1971 and 1974. Then, from 1975 to 1978 he’d go on to teach at the Arizona State University, whereby he’d also teach, before working in London as a fiction editor for a number of publishing houses. Following all of this he would go on and move to Shannon Harbour in Ireland, where he would continue to write regularly.

Continuing to write right up until 1st of March, 2013, he’d enjoy a long and eventful life, producing a vast number of interesting books. Influenced by a number of writers during his lifetime, he’s gone on to influence many other writers now taking his lead. This will carry on for many years to come, as more and more discover his novels everyday, with their impact lasting for many generations yet.

Writing Career:

Publishing his first book in 1969, Thomas Campbell Black would release the thriller novel ‘Assassins and Victims’ under the name Campbell Armstrong. This, along with his second novel ‘The Punctual Rape’ in 1970, would win Scottish Arts Council Awards, whilst ‘White Rage’, and ‘The Last Darkness’ won the Prix du Polar. Drawing from a range of influences from Kafka to Camus, he managed to establish a strong name for himself over the course of his career. Translated into a number of different languages, he’d also become a worldwide bestseller, as people continue to read him today.

Heat

This would be the fifth part in the long-running Frank Pagan series of novels, following the eponymous Special Branch agent. Originally coming out in 1997 on the 1st of October through the Corgi publishing outlet, it would provide another adventure for Frank. With a self-contained story, it would bring over elements of the previous books, whilst also paving the way for the next.

A thriller filled with high-octane action and suspense, this definitely makes the most of the genre, really taking it to the next level. Creating an intricate world for the characters, it develops what came before, whilst bringing the concept forwards as a whole. Frank Pagan himself is fully fleshed out, as he’s never simply just a two-dimensional characters, with a completely rounded personality.

Working for the Special Branch, the agent Frank Pagan will do whatever it takes to get the job done and ensure justice prevails. Under watch, the counter-terrorist agent is being observed from afar by unseen forces, as his world is being violated and recorded. The assassin Carlotta continues to hang around haunting his life too, as the two of them are both consumed with each other, not being able to let go. As the obsession begins to take over, it soon starts to transpire that one of them must die if they ever hope to have a chance of moving on. Will they be able to let go of the past? Who will survive this deadly game and who is watching? Can they overcome the heat?

Agents of Darkness

First published through the Hodder and Stoughton Limited publishing outlet, this would originally be released in 1991. Not being a part of any overall series, it’s a stand-alone in an entirely new world for Campbell, being a self-contained narrative. The book itself is a mystery political thriller that really draws the reader in and keeps them there, constantly guessing at every page turn.

An intriguing thriller with many political implications to it, this balances its subject matter well, with that of the action. Continually building the suspense throughout, it constantly manages to surprise the reader with its many twists and turns. The character of Charlie Galloway is also a well drawn, as he provides the perfect window into this world as the leading protagonist.

Discovering the body of his Filipino housekeeper, the washed up LAPD cop Charlie Galloway finds himself thrown head-first into a conspiracy. With the CIA involved, revenge, politics and corruption are embedded all the way up the ranks, as Charlie may be in over his head. Back in 1985, several people were quietly killed in a field in the Philippines for suspected anti-Marcos activities and sentiments. Now the assassin wants their revenge, as the CIA in part, orchestrated the deaths, and they’re going to stop at nothing to get it. Will they get it and how far up does the conspiracy of lies go? Can Charlie implicate himself from everything? Who are the agents of darkness?

One Response to “Campbell Armstrong”

1. John Santy: 10 months ago

   Just discovered, and now finished, Brainfire. Awesome book. Look forward to finding more. Thank you for the insight into this previously unknown to me author. Emotional overload and edge of the cliff suspense came out in this book. I sat here just this morning and think back to reading to and in front of my daughter and how she became an avid reader. Now I hope she bestows that gift to my young grandson. Literacy and Love. .

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