KOLTON LEE

THE LAST CARD

‘This impressive debut novel serves up spot-on dialogue, excels in explorations of how violence can escalate in the blink of an eye, and gives the tried and tested tale of a beleaguered man facing his demons a thrilling new twist in an unusual setting.’ Laura Wilson, Guardian

‘Firing dialogue, genuine believable characters and what impressed me the most is the scope of characters - from all walks of life. He cranks up the tension and keeps it simmering like the best film noir - one of the best 'London' novels since Absolute Beginners. Kolton writes about a London we are all fascinated by but are scared to tread.’ Alex Wheatle

‘A simmering noir novel set in the sleazy end of the London boxing circuit and illegal gambling dens. He is a boxer past his prime, full of regrets and in debt to avicious psychopath. He is dragged into a multiracial underworld of violence and extortion. Can he find a way out? Sweaty, brutal and powerful.’ Observer

H is a boxer past his prime. Haunted by the memory of the fight that should have made him great, he is chasing his dream through the seedier side of the London boxing circuit, losing fights against his untalented opponents, his wife and, ultimately, himself. When a gunfight at an illegal shebeen drags him down into a multicultural underworld of violence and extortion, H finds himself in debt to the sinister sociopath, White Alan. Only now does he realise that once and for all he must face his demons and enter the ring one final time. Set on the meaner streets of London that no tourist is ever likely to see, this striking noir thriller from a great new talent is authentic, fast moving and entertaining. THE LAST CARD is intended to be the first in a series of novels starring H. Material: Finished copies (260pp) Sales: Maia Press UK & Comm (ex Canada)

Second novel, also starring H, as a sports psychologist who gets embroiled in dodgy dealings in a tennis camp for young stars, will be delivered end 2008.

KOLTON LEE is already well-established as a director and writer. He represented the UK as an international basketball player, damaged his knee and turned to sports journalism. Having moved on from that to work for the Voice he became editor within a year. He then became the first black news editor of a national paper - The News on Sunday (John Pilger). After its demise he joined the BBC then went to film school and was signed up by a film agent the moment he graduated. He worked on several TV series, amongst them a Channel 4 commissioned drama set in the Grime music scene, and Eastenders for the BBC. Then he moved to New York and made a very highly acclaimed short film called AMERICAN MOD, as well as having his play AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL JORDAN staged at the Natural Black theatre of Harlem.

He has written, directed and produced the excellent low budget feature film CHERPS ("a brash indie debut...a fitting 'Alfie' for these times.." - Variety.com) for which he won the Independent Spirit Award, Screen Nation's 2004 Best Independent Feature Award, and which was selected for the Los Angeles film festival. Another short called PUNCHBAG was selected for the BFI's Blackworld show.

Later this year he will begin working on the film of Alex Wheatle's novel BRIXTON ROCK and adapting that same book for theatre - Stratford East. Both will be explosive. He is currently in LA making a movie and his short film BLOOD is on TV in the US right now.

Investors interested in this and other Kolton Lee projects can contact him at kolton@prophetpictures.co.uk