John Fagan lives in a Manhattan apartment he designed to cater to his every need: computers feed his dog, water his plants and wake him up.

But the private world of this reclusive genius is changed for ever on September 11, 2001.

Eight years earlier, John predicted the 9/11 attacks in detail - and now a certain young lady from the US government's Total Information Awareness programme is after him.

Jeannie Reese is the most brilliant operative in the US arsenal. Just 21 years old, she has been given the task of tracking down John.

Although John is the government's prime suspect, he is also one of the only people who can see an even greater threat looming.

And with a potential global tragedy just days away, John will need to gain Jeannie's trust - and work with her in a desperate race against time.

The hunt is leading Jeannie down an alarming trail of revelations - the terrorists are gathering again and a massive follow-up attack is coming, designed by the most formidable mind she has ever encountered.

A gripping, all-action thriller. It has the best elements of Tom Clancy mixed with a pulsating 24-hour plot.

This is a classy book from a classy new author.

(Sphere, paperback, £6.99)