Modern Fiction Books > D Modern Fiction Books

Dead Satisfactory

Advantages: an original take on mystery genre
Disadvantages: too much swearing and a mediocre finish.

...Dead Famous is primarily about a TV show named House Arrest, which is essentially Big Brother. The twist being that one of the house mates happens to get murdered and the story unfolds as several investigators watch the series from start to finish in order to solve the mystery. There is no question that there is a certain amount of originality built into this novel. Each chapter is referred to as a day, which pleasantly emerses the reader in with ...
...the tv show, and those working for the police, these are clearly distinguished so there is no confusion. There are no real flaws with Elton's characterisation as the novel progresses. Each character has its own unique and distinguished personality that are truly realistic and believable. Those on the TV show tend to be generally unlikable and highly irritating, which leads me to believe that Elton is not a fan of reality TV, which instanty appealed ...

salmonf1 04.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Dead Famous - Ben Elton

Destinations

Advantages: A quick read
Disadvantages: Confusing as there were too many characters

...'He's Got to Go'. Destinations is a novel which revolves around the Dart train system in Ireland. There are 19 chapters in the book, each one has a title with a train station alongside it, such as 'Saturday at 12' - Killiney, or 'Charlie's Dress' - Dalkey. Each chapter revolves around a different character, or characters, such as Greg and Helena - they are the characters of the 'Saturday at Twelve' chapter. Greg has had a fling at his office Christmas ...
...since thrown Greg out. THey have now had to come to an arrangement for Greg to see his daughter, Dana, each week. Another of the chapters, ' Connections', revolves around the aftermat of Greg's fling - both Helena and Kimberley, the girl he has had the fling with are involved in this chapter. I found this book a really quick read. There are more than 300 pages in the book, but because each chapter revolves around different stories, you can easily ...

jules.34 23.05.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Destinations - Sheila O'Flanagan

Duma Key - Stephen King

Advantages: Great read
Disadvantages: slow starting

Duma Key = We follow Edgar Freemantle who initially comes across as an unlikable character. This it turns out is due in part to a car accident he earlier had and also a shift in his personality. He loses an arm in the accident and this causes further angry outbursts. His wife leaves him before he hurts her and this only adds to his ugly characterisation. He ups sticks and moves to Florida, A place called Duma Key. Once here he begins to ...
...fear that his sketches begin to generate builds slowly and is well laid out. His drawings uncover some startling truths and horrible revelations from the past. The old lady is not as kindly as she first appears, what has happened to the twin sisters? And who will finally snap and take action against his 'Art'. This is a decent book but not in the league of 'cell' or James Herberts 'Secret of Crickley Hall' but it is a god read. The writing is excellent ...

MaldivesHoliday 16.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Duma Key - Stephen King

Emotions and comedy from a male point of view.

Advantages: Funny and light-hearted.
Disadvantages: Can be slow at times.

This Mike Gayle book is interesting reading, looking at the relationship between father and daughter and husband and wife. The book shows teh consequences of a one night stand and how they can surprise you years down the line. The book kept me gripped and was a good page turner without being too heavy. It is refreshing to read a book about emotions written from a male point of view. Both funny and heart-renching at times, with sad and comic moments ...

RomaniRose 13.10.2008 · Read full review
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Review of Dinner For Two - Mike Gayle

Free Parking

Advantages: Strangely compelling
Disadvantages: A pretty dark subject

Buy one get one free offers are quite possibly the greatest invention shops have given us. For all of us, it’s a chance to get something for nothing. But for the brave, it’s a world of opportunity. After all, if you already have one thing you’d really like in your hand, something you’d willingly pay the full price for anyway and they’re offering you something else, you’re getting it for nothing. So you have nothing to lose. It was this latter attitude ...
...This particular buy one get one free offer was in my local Oxfam. Having chosen a book I knew I’d like, I could afford to take a chance on my other purchase. At worst, my total outlay would be about £1.50 and I already had something worth £6.00 in my hand, and something I knew I was going to enjoy. If I was going to be that far ahead, I had less than nothing to lose. Noah Arkwright, unfortunately, does have something to lose. His life. Of course, ...

Soho_Black 10.10.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Dangerous Parking - Stuart Browne