Matt McAvoy Book Review

The author makes clear at the start of Becoming Calvin that it is the first instalment of a larger book split into a trilogy.  It therefore stands alone as a slice-of-life, coming-of-age, literary-fiction offering, which doesn’t delve too much into narrative.  It is rather about young Calvin’s later teenage years, his friendships, ambitions and goals, and predominantly their sexual experiences.  If 1990s teenagers having and talking about sex is your thing, then you’ll probably find the...

As I’ve a tendency not to read blurbs before reviewing a book, I was pleasantly surprised by this narrative retelling of one of the better-known yet perhaps lesser-written parables of the Bible’s Book of Kings (2): that of Naaman, a formidable and haunted Semitic commander who renounced his king and god Rimmon, to worship the one true god Yahweh.  The more famous summary of this tale is that Naaman was miraculously cured of leprosy then went on to lead vast crusading armies against the br...

Absolutely heartbreaking, this candid, warts-and-all journal from Sherry, about living with a husband she clearly still adores after more than half a century, despite his rapidly progressing dementia.  She has poured her whole being into this project for months, if not several years – I know how hard she has worked and how much it has meant to her, because I have helped a little with feedback in the beta stage – so there’s a little disclosure from myself; be assured, though, it has no b...

Hear the words “dating comedy”, and you might think, Meh…  Put a man in the role of primary protagonist and that Meh might become, Okay…  Now also consider the fact that this isn’t a romcom, or what some ill-advised old timers might call “chick-lit”, but rather a simple, relatively decent, old-fashioned comedy of errors – almost like those British Confessions… and It Shouldn’t Happen To… movies of the 1970s, with a more contemporary cultural twist.  It’s pretty good, t...

Slow burning and cerebral, this is another girl-meets-dragon tale, which are going through something of a renaissance since Game of Thrones.  This one is profound and more human than action based – and exceptionally well written and edited, it has to be said.  Don’t expect swashbuckling or sweeping battle scenes, though they are there, if covered relatively superficially.  This is book more about the character development and the story, as young Astria finds herself exiled and denied her ...

There is an air of old-school espionage about this, reminiscent of the international crime and spy thrillers which enthralled and excited, on the page and on the screen; in the sixties and seventies; it certainly has that feel about it.  Where it differs, though, I would say, is twofold.  Firstly, of course, technology has come a long way since those days, making our protagonists’ quest that much more contemporary; secondly, as today’s writing has a tendency to do, it goes way beyond its ...

This is quite an unusual book to read, in that it is first-half background fact and second-half fictionalization of it, furthermore delivered in the format of a screenplay.  Justin Stamm makes no secret of the fact that it is his intention to serialize his television show one episode at a time, presumably as a marketing strategy to generate buzz and capitalize on his hard work.  I don’t know if this plan will work out for him – I hope it does – but from the reader’s point of view it p...

I was really drawn to the premise of this mystery, which is probably best described as “intriguing”.  Opening with an obviously heinous incident which is not revealed until the end of the book, we follow a flawed and obsessive individual as he tries to get to the bottom of the riddle behind his heroine’s demise, whilst trying to stop her diary falling into the wrong hands.  To be honest, whilst it was a genuinely pretty decent, gripping read, I felt it started to tail off more as the st...

Although at times deeply distressing, this wonderful book is actually a joy to read.  Set at the time of Indian independence and partition, it is a vivid yet subtle portrayal of the corrupting power of wealth and class, subtly understated yet ever-present beneath the surface.  When a very poor young man unexpectedly finds himself the recipient of a windfall, he and his family are destined to become something abhorrent, as they immerse themselves into the – at the time – unregulated, unlic...

As far as memoirs go, this is an intriguing one, with a premise engaging enough to entice even a die-hard atheist like myself (which I guess is the exact opposite of Louisa’ s die-hard woo-woo).  I won’t share my opinion on the authenticity or credibility of Louisa’s claim to a degree of transcendence since a bad recreational-drug experience, for the primary reasons that a) it’s just rude to do so, and b) I have no right to, as a book reviewer.  Whatever her experience is, she believe...

There’s a particularly old-school feel about this business self-help book.  With its roots very firmly in winning in a capitalist society, and not being the one left out of pocket, it harks back to the 80s and 90s, when the accumulation of personal wealth at the expense of your negotiating opponent was seen as a virtue.  Times have changed a little, I think, and with them a shift in attitude, so in that respect this book will probably appeal now to more of a niche reader.  There is absolute...

As cosy as it gets, there is something particularly warm and nostalgic about the dual-timeline narrative of this simple yet poignant tale set in a fictional northern English village.  For such a short offering, it feels surprisingly profound and layered, particularly when the tales interlink.  This is a book which simultaneously both immerses us in its emotional depths while actually not laying the sentiment too thickly; it lets us make our own way there, with our own thoughts and feelings ab...

Pure sci-fi from Sherri, and it’s pretty much a crowd pleaser.  Thankfully, for a futuristic sci-fi offering, this has a standalone storyline which resolves without loose ends or cliffhangers – a passionate pet hate of mine, I must admit, and the reason I am often sceptical to read the genre; but on this occasion the book was satisfying and complete.

The premise is a pretty decent and grand-palette one, about a string-theory expert who accidentally bridges the dividing space between para...

Something of a fable, this short, poignant and moving tale; I know there is some sort of moral or cautionary tale in there somewhere, but I think therein lies a mystery for the reader, for I believe much of this book is open to interpretation.  Whilst not necessarily metaphorical, it is fair to say that the cerebral and discoursing nature of the narrative implies it is intended to get you thinking, not just about death, but about the things which are important while we are alive: the world ar...

If you like creepy tales with a good, old-fashioned, fairytale horror premise, then this one might tick your boxes.  Perhaps for a family audience with slightly older children, Francine’s fun short story includes all the best traditional scary tropes: a mythical villain from an ancient bloodline looking to prey on children, in a remote, rural setting.  There are some great hints at folklore around witchcraft and trolls, as well as nice touches on old Scottish wives’ tales.  A quick read a...

Quite a heavy going read, but pretty entertaining for it.  Edward McMahon is a great writer with an undoubted interest in his subject matter, though I would suggest this book will appeal primarily to those who share his passion for the nuts and bolts of Sub-Saharan politics, politics general or democratic process in the making.  In it, an American international development worker is tasked with liaising with all parties to ensure fair and democratic elections in the fictional Central African ...

Without hyperbole, this is a very, very good book, with a superb, interesting and novel premise.  It’s the most thought-provoking and ambiguously clever read I’ve picked up in some time, I must say. 

When the grieving mother of a teenager murdered in a school shooting walks into a boardroom, at the fictional American Rifle Society, armed with a loaded automatic assault weapon, and kills 13 people, it seems like a pretty cut-and-dry, black-and-white case of premeditated murder for revenge...

Being the 14^th in the series, and having not read the first 13, I could have been somewhat on the back foot reading Chasm of Exiles, but I actually felt that I pretty much hit the ground running with it.  Much of it is deeply cerebral, as the very satisfyingly layered, traumatized and guilt-damaged main character, Jacob Stearne, faces his demons and talks to his god (quite literally) frequently; you genuinely feel this black ops/wet work veteran’s struggle with his self-imposed reckoning, f...

Unusual book to review, in that it presented rather more as a magazine, or a website.  Not to say it isn’t worth a read, but rather it has a very unique, niche appeal; generally this book is aimed at a very specific market: those who wish to combine running an online business with a life travelling.  However, there is one very noteworthy point to make here, and I by no means wish to dampen the fireworks or come across as a working-class snob, but Erin points out in this book that many of th...

Really good book, this one, by an author who definitely knows the craft – though, if I’m being honest, it took me a fair while longer to read than I thought it would.  You can generally get away with a lengthy word count in the detective investigation genre, though I would say that Justice: A Hollywood Homicide is very heavily weighted in favour of character dialogue and interaction.  I don’t think it would be giving anything away to say that this case is pretty cut-and-dry from the sta...

It’s fair to say that, of the many books I’ve read, there have been few as engrossing or thought-provoking as this one, certainly in its subject matter.  It is as vast and spiritual as fiction can ever get – and a truly tremendous narrative.  With Christianity very much at its core, we follow the afterlife of three incredibly influential figures from history and one unknown individual, as they are accompanied by Aidenn – the collective name for the angels of death – to reflect on th...

David Leng is an author of multiple talents, for sure, and this action-packed adventure is a good showcase for his versatile writing abilities, combining American history with a contemporary mystery thriller.  The final product is a great story about a small group of modern-day historians attempting to find the legendary, rumoured treasure of Major General Braddock, of the King’s colonial army in the mid-18^th century.  Of course, they face competition and danger from an equally determined a...

I’m in two minds about this book.  First, its author Amy Ayres is a wonderful talent; her writing is so endearing it feels almost friendly and even familiar.  She absolutely draws you into a genuine concern for and engagement with the characters.  On the less positive side, however, is the fact that, so commonly these days for a book in the sci-fi genre, nothing is resolved and it leaves a completely open end – and this reader very irate as a result.  Those who read my reviews will know t...

As far as holistic or comprehensive books on fundamental being go, this is about as broad as it gets.  All credit to G.E. Poole; he has covered the foundations of life and death from every possible angle, including the chemical, scientific and natural.  But, of course, you get the impression that at its heart this is really a profound and powerful interpretation of the religious.  The author is as objective as you can get, but you can clearly see his unwavering faith in God and religion as th...

If you’re worried this is going to be a mind-numbing book about politics, you couldn’t be more wrong.  It is a hugely entertaining and genuinely fun, “mostly true” tale of two young-at-heart grown-ups who just decide, one day, they won’t sit around and do nothing while their country goes to the dogs around them – a sentiment I’m sure many of us share in the current climate.  But I don’t want to downplay the validity of their mission; they’re clearly both exceptionally smart ...

I really enjoy short stories, the chillier and darker the better – and they don’t get much more atmospheric than this superb collection by A.I. Johnson.  Whilst not strictly horror or thriller genres, there is enough in most of these stories to add an air of ominous mystery; some are genuinely pretty creepy, others a little more brooding drama.  I admit, the last story in this baker’s dozen wasn’t to my liking, with rather more an air of abstract, sci-fi political satire, but the rest...

A lot of fun this colourful action romp from Carlos Lozano, which combines good, old-fashioned cartoon entertainment for the family with a more contemporary superhero palette.  This brings to mind caricature slapstick of the 80s and 90s, with a PG certificate, generally suitable and enjoyable for all, such as the Jim Carrey movie The Mask.  Admittedly, some of the more cartoonish visuals perhaps don’t portray so well on the page, and would certainly be more suited to a graphic novel or othe...

An in-depth and intriguing insight into the world of international business and cultural barriers, as a Danish professional and his business partner attempt to sell their services to counterparts in Saudi Arabia, amidst religious factional turmoil at the end of the 1970s.  It is an eye-opening exposé of a country and a region which has been changed dramatically since events at that time, and hints at the long-lasting effects on global politics and terrorism today.  But at the time, as outlin...

Very dark stuff from Neal Cassidy, both brutal and cerebral.  Schroeder is a young man on a murderous mission – and it very quickly becomes clear this is much more clinical than random, his targets carefully picked and despatched with increasing savagery; the fun part is trying to work out who is who at the end.  In all seriousness, though, there is little actual fun to be had with this vivid and graphic revenge tale.  Simple and straightforward, it is no more or less than an almost real-ti...