Lee Coates

Smileyface

A year after losing his wife in a tragic accident during a family vacation in Madeira, Simon is trying to rebuild his life with his young son Dan in a peaceful village on the outskirts of Cardiff.

But beneath the calm surface of their new community, a sinister presence lurks. A predator is targeting the village’s most vulnerable children. His twisted mission: to make them smile... at any cost.

After having children, Lee Coates almost gave up on his dream of writing a novel, as spare time became a rare commodity. However, a lightbulb moment struck during one of his sons' extracurricular activities. Those seemingly endless minutes didn’t have to be wasted. Now, he can often be found writing by the side of football pitches and tennis courts in his hometown of Cardiff. Lee enjoys crafting psychological thrillers that keep readers guessing until the very last page.

The Look

Jim is a self-employed web developer living in Cardiff. Successful professionally, the future also looks rosy for his personal life, having recently proposed to his girlfriend, Ffion. However, when the couple decide to celebrate their engagement with his much-loved dad, Callum, Jim’s world is tilted on its axis.

Jim is convinced he spotted his dad staring at him – just for a split second – with a look of pure hatred. Did he imagine it? However, when a series of bizarre and catastrophic events strike Jim’s life in quick succession, he starts to wonder if the look he received from his father could mean something.

Eventually, Callum makes a confession that will lead to the total collapse of Jim’s life as he knows it…

After having two kids, Lee Coates had almost given up on ever fulfilling his dream of writing a novel, spare time being so precious. However, a light-bulb moment occurred during one of his sons’ extracurricular activities. These interminable minutes needn’t be dead time. Lee can be regularly found writing at the side of football pitches, swimming pools and tennis courts in his hometown of Cardiff.