Mach6 Publications, a Frome-based company, is poised to relaunch the work of one of the UK's top late 20th century thriller-writers, Craig Thomas, beginning with his best-known work, Firefox.

The fast-paced, seat-gripping story of the audacious theft of a stealth-fighter plane from the Soviet Union, credited as launching the 'techno-thriller' genre, was also made into a film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood.

Sue Everett, Frome resident and Director of Mach6, says, "I am incredibly excited at introducing Craig's stories to a 21st Century audience. There is a whole new generation of readers to reach, who I am hoping will become the next fans of these exceptional espionage and action adventures." 

Firefox will be available at Winstones Hunting Raven bookstore in Frome on 27 October and as an e-book. The sequel, Firefox Down, and two other stories featuring the Firefox pilot will shortly follow and there are plans to publish the other 14 novels over the next few years in the UK, Commonwealth and USA. 

Sue is best known in Frome as an ecologist and river campaigner, but says her 'escape valve' is reading thrillers and she had no hesitation in seizing the opportunity to purchase Craig Thomas's copyright last April. "It was a chance discussion with a friend that led me to find out about Craig's copyright going to auction - four days before it happened," she explained.

"This was my first time taking part in an auction, but I was gripped with the adventure of relaunching Craig's work and was delighted and amazed that mine was the successful bid. I knew that this was a unique opportunity and am delighted that, with the help of Craig's nephew and lifelong friend, Tony Mulliken, my company has partnered up with a top literary agency and well-known publishers in the UK and USA to relaunch Craig's work."