Noah Hawley's The Good Father (Hodder & Stoughton) – his fourth novel, but first to be published in the UK – tells the story of a respected doctor who learns that his son is chief suspect in the shooting of a Democrat presidential candidate. Hawley – who is also a successful TV and film scriptwriter – says the idea came to him just before his daughter was born. "I had that middle of the night fear – who is this person going to be? What story can I tell that explores the problem of someone whose kid grows up to be something other than what they hoped for?"

The novel – a punchy, gripping and often thought-provoking read – has generated considerable buzz, with Justin Webb describing it as "an unblinking look at the ills of modern America". Hawley attributes its appeal to the fact that it keys into a "universal concern of all parents", but also points out that the young male assassin figure has considerable contemporary resonance, especially in the US. He had just finished the book when, in January last year, congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot. "We had to wait before sending it out to publishers," he says. "No one wants to exploit these situations."