Fallen Idols

The plot of this was very well worked out, and the atmospheric description of East Lancashire very recognisable (to one living there now). Despite what the author says I still think Turner's Fold is more like Nelson than Great Harwood, but as a great follower of Reader Response Criticism I have no problem with that at all :-) The twist at the end of the plot took me completely by surprise. No spoilers-- read it and see for yourself. Having said all that, I like 'intellectual' Detective novels best, and , for me, there was entirely too much 'chase and shoot' towards the end of the book.

I read this all day yesterday and I loved it. I couldn't go to work because of a bad back and this kept me occupied. I read it whilst I was sitting down and also whilst I was walking around the room to stretch my back! This kept me happy all day. So that's why I read it but what happens?

The back of the book is well presented with the who, what, why, where, when and how scenario - literally listed. It's short and to the point, much better than a paragraph. Henri Dumas is a premiership football player and the novel starts with him being killed in cold blood in the street. There are two estate agents also murdered in a nearby flat, why? This is the start of the novel and it just gets better and better. Meet the two main characters - Jack show more Garrett a reporter with a good friend in DC Laura McGanity, a single mother who has her own share of difficulties in a man's world organising child care etc.

The novel takes you through a variety of places in the United Kingdom (at alarming paces it has to be said!) with a variety of murders and events. It's fast but without you realising it. The plot is tremendous, the killer is superb and there are a couple of twists along the way that you may or may not see coming. I didn't see them all and even the ones I did see I was excited about them. It does get gruesome and in one particular place especially - of course with it being a crime/mystery/thriller novel and plot details spoil it so I won't share the information.

I felt over the course of the 500 pages that I really got to know all of the characters, although I wasn't sure about the two from Scotland Yard. I didn't feel they were fully described but don't come into it until later. I often feel disheartened when I pick up a lengthier novel but this has good print size and reasonable length chapters so you end up flying through it. I'm amazed this is a debut novel, I only hope he is able to sustain this level of writing in his next book out this year. There are two chapters of it in the back of 'Fallen Idols' which I didn't read as I can never read extracts for some reason.

This was a novel chosen by a friend for my book group and I loved it. I would've come across it anyway as I like this genre and often follow her recommendations. Regardless of that, I'm really pleased I read it. It was superb and passed away the day for me. show less

A footballer's past comes back to haunt him and sets off a train of murders. I found the plot somewhat unbelievable and the violence was quite graphic in places.

A debut novel that promises much but somehow winds up being on expected lines...

Excellent read. Full of twists and turns which almost made you feel sorry for the murderer.