MY TOP 5 BOOKS OF THE YEAR (SO FAR!)
·
The Naturalist by
Andrew Mayne
This blew me away from page
one, mainly because of its fiercely original premise. A scientist uses
biological mapping software to track down a serial killer? Where do I sign? It
was so unlike any procedural serial killer book I’ve ever read, and has a real
flair of delivery. The science was not heavy at all, but explained in a way
that made perfect sense, while delivering a sense of true wonder. I liken it to
Jurassic Park meets Se7en, and is probably my favourite book of the year.
·
Police At The Station
And They Don’t Look Friendly by Adrian McKinty
McKinty’s work always has me
in a choke hold, and this, the sixth in his Sean Duffy series, was no different
– except Duffy now has parental responsibility to consider. As a father myself,
it was great to see one of my favourite literary characters going through the
same life-stage I am. McKinty does things with words that I can only marvel at,
and every single time I open one of his books it is a pleasure.
·
The Dry by Jane Harper
This one came at me from
nowhere, despite being hailed far and wide as one to watch out for. I clearly
don’t pay enough attention at times! It was a mystery in the purest sense, in
the kind of setting that is as much a character as the characters themselves.
The unravelling mysteries were expertly unspun, but in such a way that you’d
never question it – however confounded I was while trying to work out the
killer while reading, by the end it made perfect sense.
·
Roll The Dice by Wayne
Avrashow
This was a bit of a departure
for me, in that it isn’t really a crime book. Yes, there are shady characters
in here, and dodgy dealings galore, but it was really the premise the hooked me
– rock star enters politics and stands for senate election. It brims with
authenticity, and moves at a crackling piece with chapter headings as the
candidates standing in the polls. It exhibits a wry humour which moves the
reader completely away from any notions of stuffy political thrillers.
·
The Force by Don
Winslow
This was a literary beat-down.
I was held down, roughly cuffed and couldn’t escape from this until I’d
breathlessly finished it. So magnificent in scope, scale and the kind of high
stakes story-telling that is so truly hard to come across, but utterly
enthralling when you do. Probably the most ‘filmic’ book I’ve read in a long
time, but that is evoked equally by the vivid portrayal of the setting and the
characters, not just the cinematic potential of the storyline. Didn’t want it
to end.
About the Author
Robert Parker is a new exciting
voice, a married father of two, who lives in a village close to Manchester, UK. He has both a law degree and a degree in film and media
production, and has worked in numerous employment positions, ranging from
solicitor’s agent (essentially a courtroom gun for hire), to a van driver, to a
warehouse order picker, to a commercial video director. He currently
writes full time, while also making time to encourage new young readers and
authors through readings and workshops at local schools and bookstores. In his
spare time he adores pretty much all sport, boxing regularly for charity, loves
fiction across all mediums, and his glass is always half full.
His latest book is the
crime/thriller, A WANTED MAN.
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