The Last Stand Down (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780645314540)

Inspired by actual events - the attempted murder of a NZ physicist who invented a free-energy machine, the conviction of the head of London Metropolitan Police for corruption and grand theft of millions from Britain's foreign aid program - this thriller plunges you into the world of political and police corruption as an unlikely band of individuals (like you and I) are faced with life-changing decisions.

When hope is gone and the risks mount up, there's only one thing left to do. But what is it?

Arthur Bayly dreams of a James Bond kind of life, while feeling oppressed and controlled by his pointless existence and daily activities. Then, one boring day, his dream slaps him in the face. Stood down from work in unnerving and suspicious circumstances, he stumbles into a nightmare of corruption and conspiracy at all levels of British society - police, politics and peerage. He somehow gathers a motley cast of characters from England, Scotland, New Zealand, Pakistan and elsewhere to help him restore finances, faith and family.

From Scotland, Mary dreams of romance and riches but she loses faith under the weight of London's corporate life. She has a sporadic affair with her sometimes-available boss but neither of her hopes eventuate. Then, unexpectedly, she becomes an unwitting agent in Arthur's fall from grace. She becomes an unwilling accomplice and is forced to take sides in a ferocious game of greed for power and money; a game she doesn't understand or want any part of. But she must chose and, while she's focused on surviving, love turns up in its weirdly unexpected way.

The embezzling of millions of British taxpayer funds, a free energy machine invented in New Zealand, and the desperate search to return Maori artefacts to their ancestral home complicate the fiasco as fists, guns and sides are drawn.

The story is drawn from the author's experience as a corporate trainer for a London bank and reality is mixed with fiction in this thriller with a twist of love. It could easily have happened. It might also have you shaken, not stirred.

"I read the book Philip - loved reading it, the polite Englishman getting acquainted with the kiwi tribe in London! And the way of using a novel form to explore some important secrets regarding free energy and the world grid and so on. Very enjoyable read, thank you!" Cornelius van Dorp, author of Crystal Mission.

"A compelling read, becoming quite fast paced and action packed as the plot thickens. I particularly liked the natural and easy way in which ideas from A Course In Miracles popped up in conversations between the characters." Riana Avis, Life Coach, London

"Your story is well written. I'm hooked early and see you have a lot more in store for us. I look forward to you writing more." Craig Bandalin, author of Just Out Of Sight, UK

This book has been rewritten as a screen-play and has been recorded as a podcast.