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About The Book

SET TO BE ADAPTED FOR THE SCREEN. Journalist John Bailey and CIA officer Ronnie Johnson join forces to outwit their most deadly adversary yet.

‘Ayliffe is a master of the genre.’ Sulari Gentill

STEALING SECRETS IS A DEADLY GAME


Someone wants Russian millionaire Dmitry Lebedev dead. After years flying under the radar in Sydney, he’s just had a narrow escape when a sex worker is poisoned in his hotel room. In desperation he contacts his former CIA case officer, Ronnie Johnson, offering to expose a traitor inside the Australian government in return for protection.

John Bailey has spent decades risking his life to break news stories. Along the way he’s made some interesting friends, including Ronnie — who saved his life in Iraq — and Scarlett Merriman, whose night with Lebedev left her in a coma. And now they both need Bailey’s help.

While Bailey investigates what happened to Scarlett, Ronnie Johnson is calling in an old debt. Because the same people going after Lebedev have framed Ronnie for murder.

From Canberra to Moscow to Beijing, Killer Traitor Spy uncovers the new lines of espionage in the twenty-first century. It proclaims Ayliffe as a master of the genre.

‘A carefully crafted, propulsive thriller that sails uncomfortably close to the truth.’ Michael Brissenden

‘Torn from the headlines and relentlessly paced.’ Matthew Spencer

About The Author

Photograph © Courtney King Photography

Tim Ayliffe’s thriller novels have been informed by his 25-year career as a journalist in Australia and around the world. He writes about espionage, extremism, politics and the global power games at play in the 21st Century. He has been the Managing Editor of Television and Video for ABC News and also Executive Producer of News Breakfast. He is the author of the ‘John Bailey’ series including The Greater Good, State of FearThe Enemy Within and his most recent novel, Killer Traitor Spy. Tim's thrillers are also in development for TV. When he's not writing or chasing news stories, Tim watches rugby and surfs. He lives in Sydney.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia (July 5, 2023)
  • Length: 320 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781761107313

Raves and Reviews

‘A propulsive, sharply-plotted spy thriller. Torn from the headlines and relentlessly paced.’

Matthew Spencer, author of Black River

‘Tim Ayliffe writes on a grand scale—stories of international intrigue, extreme ideologies, life and death stakes—all told with a journalist’s insight into humanity at its worst and its best. With Killer Traitor Spy, Ayliffe proves he is a master of the genre.’

Sulari Gentill, author of The Woman in the Library

‘Ayliffe knows his stuff . . . Killer Traitor Spy is a carefully crafted, propulsive thriller that sails uncomfortably close to the truth.’

Michael Brissenden, former ABC Moscow correspondent and author of The List

‘Journalist turned author, Tim Ayliffe, continues to impress with his latest thriller. Cleverly examining espionage in Australia while producing an intense and entertaining story, Killer Traitor Spy is a captivating read that comes highly recommended.’

Canberra Weekly

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