Thursday, September 06, 2012

REVIEW: Crusher by Niall Leonard

I really loved Crusher by Niall Leonard!  I was recently at a Random House event in which we heard of some of the processes in which the designers used in order to create this cover, which was fascinating, especially as it was done in two weeks as they were rushing the publication. I was given an advance copy of the book then and told that there'd be a special announcement about this book because of Niall Leonard's very famous wife (EL James of 50 Shades fame). 

I wouldn't normally say that a crime/thriller book would be my sort of thing but  my mind has been changed after reading this book and books similar to it in the past year or so.  I actually really love like this which are very action-packed with a twisty-turny plotline. 

And Crusher was immediately addictive and exciting to read.  I felt for our main character, Finn, straight away.  He's dropped out of school, he's working at a greasy fast food place, he has no real prospects for the future, especially with a past involving a drugs rap and having difficulties reading with his dyslexia.  But things are set to get even worse for poor Finn, as he comes home to find his father bludgeoned to death and the police peg Finn as the prime subject.

In order to clear his name and get the answers that Finn desperately needs, he sets off on this crazy journey into organised crime ring in London.  Finn feels as though he has nothing to lose and he doesn't believe that the cops are doing much to follow up on any leads.  What follows was entertaining, edge of my seat reading.  I loved how everything seems disconnected but does eventually tie together in the end in the way that I'd never considered. 

I do love a good mystery but discovering whodunnit is only half of what's great about Crusher.  I do so love Finn.  On the outside he doesn't appear to be grieving that much for his father, but we still see enough of his thoughts and behaviour to know otherwise.  That's part of Niall Leonard's charm - writing dialogue and scenes in the book in such a way that the reader is able to grasp more by what is left unsaid or undone.  This is especially true for Finn's relationships - both with a rather strange love interest, Zoe, and with another a person from Finn's past who shows up unexpectedly. 

I thought Crusher was a great debut effort from Niall Leonard!  There's plenty of gritty action and mystery with a relateable main character that you will root for right from the start.

8 comments:

  1. I'm reading this one right now. It's not as fast paced as I expected but I am really curious to find out whodunnit!!

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  2. Crime/thriller isn't usually my sort of thing either, but I do go for one occasionally and this sounds quite good!

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    1. It is quite good, I hope you like it if you do come across it :)

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  3. I'm reading this at the moment! Had to pause because I forgot about a tour book but will be picking it back up soon! I've found it slow to start, like Hannah but I can almost feel it picking up soon :D
    Great review Michelle :)

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    1. Thanks! Once it gets going, I found it really interesting to see how all the threads of the story comes together :)

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  4. I love crime/thriller/mystery so I am really eager to read this. Despite seeing a few bad reviews, I am still interested to see how I find it. Thanks for the great review! :)

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    1. I'm sure the author must be getting a bit of flak for things out of his control? I don't know. I enjoyed it and I hope you do as well :)

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