The Cleaner by Paul Cleave

By

Cleave's 2008 debut novel, "The Cleaner" is a perfect example of an exceptionally well-written (and dare I say delightful) black comedy, executed essentially by focusing razor-sharp inner-monologue and dialogue coupled with great timing and pacing. One can almost not help but to root for the serial killer, Joe Middleton, to succeed in his elaborate scheme to escape being caught. 5/5
Joe Victim: A Novel (2013) is the second novel in the series

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Me What I Am by Unna Mannion

By
Image
Ruby’s mother, Deena disappeared when Ruby was only four years old and while Deena and Lucas were fighting an ugly custody battle. Now living with her controlling father, Lucas, and his enabling mother, Ruby remembers almost nothing about her mother and is not permitted to ask any questions about her. Nessa is however as from the outset convinced that Lucas was responsible for her sister's disappearance. The novel utilises the dual timelines (some 10 years removed) exceptionally and the first person accounts of Ruby and Nessa are richly written and seamlessly integrated. 5/5
Read more

Pursued by Death by Gunnar Staalesen

By
Image
After having his driver's license suddenly and basically in the middle of the road suspended, private investigator Varg Veum witnesses a group of young people on a bus, one of whom later disappears. He finds himself drawn into the mysterious world of a small coastal village. As he investigates the disappearance, he uncovers a complex web of secrets, rivalries, and a possible connection to a previous death, all playing out against the backdrop of unethical large scale Salmon farming. Staalesen creates a detailed and visual experience of a small town where everyone has a secret. He places Veum's slowly coming to terms with his life and his age in a juxtaposition to his menial importance in a much larger criminal investigation. Very well written and pretty gripping. Unfortunately the reveal is impossible to predict as there are basically zero breadcrumbs. 4/5
Read more

A Noise Downstairs by Linwood Barclay

By
Image
"A Noise Downstairs", follows Paul Davis, a college professor whose world is turned upside down after witnessing a shocking crime committed by a colleague, which colleague also voraciously struck him with a spade to the head. As he recovers from the trauma, strange occurrences plague him, including the unsettling sounds of a vintage typewriter typing on its own. With his sanity questioned and a mysterious connection to the typewriter emerging, Paul delves into a nightmarish investigation that blurs the lines between reality and paranoia. An excellent psychological thriller with a very well hidden whodunnit. Barclay really knows how to mess with your mind. 5/5
Read more