The Monday Review

Another week, another round of big-ups for Artemis Fowl and The Lost Colony, to wit:
“I finally got around to finishing off this addition to the Artemis Fowl series, and I must say The Lost Colony keeps up the tradition: a non-stop action story. Seriously, Eoin Colfer knows how to drop you right into the action at sixty miles per hour and keeps the foot on the gas until the finish line is crossed,” says Jason at Probably Not … There’s also a veritable lost colony of positive vibes at Amazon.com, although our favourite is the line, “Another great addition to the Artemis Fowl series from Eoin Colfer, certified genius.” They’re handing out certs for genius now? Ours must have got lost in the post … Pat Mullan is becoming a name to watch for, people, as Harriet Klausner has discovered: “The Circle of Sodom is a terse political thriller that never lets up until the final confrontation occurs. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with action … Mr. Mullan displays his skills as fans will easily follow along this one-sitting thriller.” Nice one, Pat … Benny Blanco (from the Bronx) gets the hup-ya from Josephine Damian, to wit: “In spite of these flaws it is pathologist Quirke’s inner conflict over betraying the very people he owes and loves that makes Christine Falls a worthwhile read. According to the jacket flap, we’re to see more of Quirke, for this book is the start of what promises to be a psychological and character-driven crime series.” The Mean Streets likes Ken Bruen’s latest quiet a lot: “With an ensemble cast, multiple intersecting plot lines and machine gun prose, this one is Bruen at his mordant best. On one hand Ammunition is just another full-throttle ride down the mean streets of Southeast London with one of the most innovative and entertaining tour guides working in the genre today. On another level, however, this book offers a disturbing critique of a society run amok … What McBain did for the police procedural in the 20th century, Bruen is doing in the 21st – taking it to a new level entirely!” Mmmm, yummy … Yet more smoke being blown up Tana French’s nether regions. First, the Washington Post: “Now add to that distinguished list Tana French’s ambitious and extraordinary first novel. And rank it high … Whether the ending succeeds will likely be debated, but French’s decisions are unexpected and unnerving – a bold close to a daring novel,” says Art Taylor, while Karen Chisholm at Aust Crime Fiction is equally impressed: “Ultimately In The Woods is fascinating. It’s one of those books that twists and turns and moves and shape-shifts to the point where you really don’t know what you did or didn’t think you knew a few pages before … It’s also one of those books that ends with not everything nicely answered / tied up / resolved – just like life really.” Intriguing, no? … What of Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant? “An incredible piece of writing that is lively and wild! Humour, adventure, magic and suspense are all in this piece of writing! A nice break from the dull, realistic or overly imaginative books of the 21st century. Down to the ground, but still in the air kind of book. You CANNOT miss this one! I give it 5 stars!!” says J.B. at the Young Young Critics Club over at Perrot Library … Eoin McNamee’s 12:23 has been receiving mixed reviews but we love it and Peter Millar at The Times is inclined to agree: “McNamee has a better claim than most to be heir to John le Carré as master of the genuinely literary thriller, if only he could acquire just a little English understatedness.” Erm, exqueeze us? English understatedness? Wtf, etc.? … Finally, some nice reviews for Gene Kerrigan, first from Publisher’s Weekly for The Midnight Choir, to wit: “While much of the fun is in puzzling out unfamiliar words like “gurriers” and “gaff,” it’s Kerrigan’s firm control of the procedural genre and the breathtaking twist he gives his plot that show him to be a master of the form.” Which is nice, but Maxine Clarke, reviewing for Eurocrime, goes one better for Kerrigan’s debut, Little Criminals: “I was not sure I’d want to read a book about an Irish gang who kidnap a businessman’s wife and demand a huge ransom. But … I decided to try it. And I am glad I did: it is excellent.” Cheer up, Weepy Gene – we all loves ya, baby!