The first Thriller anthology, edited by James Patterson, was a phenomenal success for the then-fledgling ITW organisation and helped pay a lot of ITW’s bills in the early days.

It was seeing the success of Thriller that helped push ITW into taking a brave and unique decision — to drop all membership fees for eligible author members. As the board member who suggested this innovation I’m somewhat biased as to whether it’s a good idea or simply mad. But I do think the idea of a writers’ organisation that lives on its wits and creativity, not a tax on its members, is rather appealing. So here comes Thriller 2, this time edited by the redoubtable Clive Cussler, and published once again by the excellent Mira.

The list of authors on board with short stories for this edition includes Jeffery Deaver, Kathleen Antrim, Sean Chercover, Lisa Jackson, Tim Maleeny, Philip Margolin, Carla Neggers, RL Stine, Ridley Pearson… and lots more. Oh, and me.

My story is called The Circle and I can reveal that…

• is not set in Rome
• does not feature any of my regular characters
• has absolutely no historical antecedents
• is pretty much unlike anything else I’ve ever written (no, there are no vampires or aliens — it’s not that off the wall)

It was enormous fun to get the chance to write something different. Thanks to everyone in ITW, Tim Maleeny, in particular, for extending the opportunity to me.