"In Making a Killing Ashcroft s first book his escape from death at the hands of Shia gunmen in Iraq was thanks to the bravery of his interpreter, Sammy, a Sunni ex-pilot. Now, a call for help means Ash must leave his new private security job chasing pirates in West Africa and return to the chaos of Baghdad. Sammy has been captured by the Shia-dominated Iraqi police and faces certain execution unless Ash and his crack team can rescue him. Blood and Sand is a gripping account of real life and death on the ground in Iraq. From secretly acquiring vehicles and arms, to dodging the fearsome death squads that roam the streets, from escaping the suicide bombers that wreak havoc on a daily basis to being constantly hounded by the Shia militia, Ash's mission involves real guts and daring. It is an all-action men-at-war story, revealing some of the most hazardous and terrifying situations that are the reality in modern-day Iraq. And this time, these guns-for-hire who come with a hefty price-tag aren t being paid. This time, it s for honour."