Kofi Danquah is a brilliant young footballer, based in Ghana. The book begins with him being offered a place to play for a Premier League team in England. But when he reaches the UK, all is not as he expected.

In a chance meeting he comes across Danny Harte, the football detective. Danny tries to help Kofi. But things get worse. Much worse.

And Kofi is left to wonder if he’d have been better off without Danny’s help, as Danny goes deeper into the football underworld than he has ever been to try and save Kofi, Holt and himself.

Why did you write about an African footballer?

I’d read a lot about how young players from Ghana and the Ivory Coast get cheated when they come to play in France and Belgium. I wondered what would happen if the same thing went on in the UK.

And you went to Ghana?

I did. It was amazing. I saw football games, watched a youth academy team and spent time with Man U’s scout for Africa. It was awesome. I also saw some cocoa farms. Chocolate is a big part of the book.

And does it tie in to the 2010 World Cup, in Africa for the first time?

It does. I wanted to celebrate that too. It is great that Africa has the tournament at last. The continent’s teams have been wonderful to watch over the last few years. Cameroon. Senegal. And I think, in 2010, Ghana will be good to watch.

'This sporting crime thriller is the third in Tom Palmer's football series.  With a plot involving a foreign buy-out of City FC and a corrupt agent, this is a cracking read for lads who love their football.'
SUNDAY EXPRESS