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mxinky's review
3.0
The plot had such promise but it was not fulfilled. Two friends get involved with something by accident, and no one involved knows the full story. The characters begin to wear thin, and the motivations of the "bad guy" don't make any sense. I would also say this book portrays homosexuality in a strange retro way. As other reviewers have said, the book ends with no resolution, perhaps the author intends to write a second novel. I won't be reading it if so!
bookworm_brad's review
4.0
An enjoyable story with enough twists to keep you guessing until the end, well, until what might be the end though it leaves a lot unfinished as though there is indeed a missing chapter. Paul Thornley provides excellent narration.
raven88's review
4.0
I am new to Tom Bale's writing and reading `The Catch' which is a stand alone novel was an excellent introduction to this author. I found this story fairly zipped along, as we become embroiled in the life of Robbie Compton, whose one moment of intense stupidity has serious repercussions for those closest to him.
Robbie is an arrogant, irresponsible and headstrong individual whose greed and foolhardy actions, not to mention a dangerous liaison with a gangster's wife, draws him into the sights of not only a couple bent on revenge, but also into the path of a ruthless henchman. As the story unfolds, the bonds of friendship and loyalty become fragile with Dan and Cate, in particular, navigating the fallout of Robbie's actions and both paying a personal cost, stretching the boundaries of their relationship with the charming yet scheming Robbie. The characterisation of all three is spot on as Bale bestows Dan and Cate with complicated and emotional personal lives that become all the more difficult due to Robbie's actions, and we can see just how strong these friendships really arein the present, as they all seem to have grown away from their younger selves and are clinging to the loyalties of the past. Bale's firm grip on the characterisation resonates though other figures in the central plot who veer from seedy, to stupid, to calculating and scheming, and I would highlight in particular Patricia and Gordon Blake, who are after Robbie's blood and whose motives in this form an interesting diametric in the plot. Are they really as bad as we think they are? They are assisted by Jerry, one of the most inept right hand heavies ever, and the brilliant Stemper, a self contained and utterly ruthless troubleshooter and a mass of contradictions that plays with the reader's perception of him to some degree.
The plot is well-paced enough, but does rely at times on questionable coincidences that overall were forgiveable as the story arc did draw you in and hold you there. A good level of violence and bloodshed throughout, and some genuinely unexpected moments that catch the reader offguard. There are quite entertaining touches including Stemper's initial introduction to the book, the bumbling haplessness of Jerry, and Robbie's fledgling career as a bored housewife's gigolo in order to acquire an alibi, that add a nice humour to the book and peppered throughout with genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. Indeed, Robbie is a very effective comedic foil to the teeth gnashing and exasperation of the dull and intense Dan, and Robbie's confused sister Cate.
So, all in all, a good, well-executed, distinctly British thriller, that is certainly worth checking out, and having already purchased a copy of `Skin and Bones' on the strength of this one, I'm glad to have discovered a new author...
Read my Q&A with Tom Bale at http://ravencrimereads.wordpress.com
Robbie is an arrogant, irresponsible and headstrong individual whose greed and foolhardy actions, not to mention a dangerous liaison with a gangster's wife, draws him into the sights of not only a couple bent on revenge, but also into the path of a ruthless henchman. As the story unfolds, the bonds of friendship and loyalty become fragile with Dan and Cate, in particular, navigating the fallout of Robbie's actions and both paying a personal cost, stretching the boundaries of their relationship with the charming yet scheming Robbie. The characterisation of all three is spot on as Bale bestows Dan and Cate with complicated and emotional personal lives that become all the more difficult due to Robbie's actions, and we can see just how strong these friendships really arein the present, as they all seem to have grown away from their younger selves and are clinging to the loyalties of the past. Bale's firm grip on the characterisation resonates though other figures in the central plot who veer from seedy, to stupid, to calculating and scheming, and I would highlight in particular Patricia and Gordon Blake, who are after Robbie's blood and whose motives in this form an interesting diametric in the plot. Are they really as bad as we think they are? They are assisted by Jerry, one of the most inept right hand heavies ever, and the brilliant Stemper, a self contained and utterly ruthless troubleshooter and a mass of contradictions that plays with the reader's perception of him to some degree.
The plot is well-paced enough, but does rely at times on questionable coincidences that overall were forgiveable as the story arc did draw you in and hold you there. A good level of violence and bloodshed throughout, and some genuinely unexpected moments that catch the reader offguard. There are quite entertaining touches including Stemper's initial introduction to the book, the bumbling haplessness of Jerry, and Robbie's fledgling career as a bored housewife's gigolo in order to acquire an alibi, that add a nice humour to the book and peppered throughout with genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. Indeed, Robbie is a very effective comedic foil to the teeth gnashing and exasperation of the dull and intense Dan, and Robbie's confused sister Cate.
So, all in all, a good, well-executed, distinctly British thriller, that is certainly worth checking out, and having already purchased a copy of `Skin and Bones' on the strength of this one, I'm glad to have discovered a new author...
Read my Q&A with Tom Bale at http://ravencrimereads.wordpress.com
keyreads's review
3.0
I love a good mystery/ thriller and this is the first Tom Bale novel I've read.
This is the story of two friends who find themselves trapped in a series of lies and deception.
In the synopsis the reader is asked, how far will you go for friendship? My response: Not as far as these crazy people! What kind of friend gets you involved in a world of mess? What were you thinking Dan?!
I hated the main characters in this story. Robbie was nothing more than a parasite. I found myself yelling at the pages about how much of a jerk he was. Now Dan! Ahhhhh! He was naive and in love with a woman he could never have. The Money hungry characters with the big kidnapping idea was a little chessy. No surprise here how that turned out. But,Overall this was an entertaining read. I may read some more Tom Bale novels in the future.
This is the story of two friends who find themselves trapped in a series of lies and deception.
In the synopsis the reader is asked, how far will you go for friendship? My response: Not as far as these crazy people! What kind of friend gets you involved in a world of mess? What were you thinking Dan?!
I hated the main characters in this story. Robbie was nothing more than a parasite. I found myself yelling at the pages about how much of a jerk he was. Now Dan! Ahhhhh! He was naive and in love with a woman he could never have. The Money hungry characters with the big kidnapping idea was a little chessy. No surprise here how that turned out. But,Overall this was an entertaining read. I may read some more Tom Bale novels in the future.
kaz_loves_books's review
4.0
Here is my review of Survive by Tom Bale. It’s about a young family that has saved up money to go on holiday abroad for the first time but didn’t realise that they would be fighting for their lives to survive.
Jody Lamb and Sam Berry with their young children, Grace and Dylan are on holiday at the Adriana Beach Hotel, on the island of Sekliw. They are a bit late to the welcome meeting. Also a special prize draw for a VIP reception at Hotel Conchis and all their names were automatically entered.
The next day, Jody is dozing on a sun lounger when Gabby tells her she has won the VIP reception the next day. Later that evening Jody and Sam are speaking to Kay and Trevor Baxter, Sam decides to give them the VIP invite.
On reception day with ten minutes to spare, Gabby finds them to say they need to attend, the invite is non-transferable. Reluctantly, they got changed and just made the transport laid on.
They all arrive at the reception and hand their invites over, they are taken to the top floor and into a large function room overlooking the sea. Jody is chatting to Michelle while Sam is gearing up for conversation with Gareth. Borko makes a big entrance and goes on to say that they have arranged for the children to be entertained elsewhere as them and speeches don’t mix.
Borko goes into speech mode until he winds it up, there are fire breathing stilt-walkers while he starts circling amongst the guests. Jody escapes to check on the children, she finds the room, the kids are wearing overalls and masks, firing paintballs at staff.
Jody brings Sam to see the kids, he cringes at the sight. They see Grace leading Dylan away, so call her and they both come running but one of the guards lifts his wrist to his mouth. When they leave the room, they meet Naji Hussein and they explain about the staff being fired at and that they want to leave. He leads them to a room and refreshments come. They drank them and one by one fell asleep.
When they woke up, Sam felt like he was dreaming, there was a rushing noise in his ears. The light is very bright as he opens his eyes and is that sand? Where are they? How did they get here?
This was a really great book to read, slow to start but when the action begins, you will find it’s hard to put the book down. This is the first book I have read by this author and he was recommended to me.
Jody Lamb and Sam Berry with their young children, Grace and Dylan are on holiday at the Adriana Beach Hotel, on the island of Sekliw. They are a bit late to the welcome meeting. Also a special prize draw for a VIP reception at Hotel Conchis and all their names were automatically entered.
The next day, Jody is dozing on a sun lounger when Gabby tells her she has won the VIP reception the next day. Later that evening Jody and Sam are speaking to Kay and Trevor Baxter, Sam decides to give them the VIP invite.
On reception day with ten minutes to spare, Gabby finds them to say they need to attend, the invite is non-transferable. Reluctantly, they got changed and just made the transport laid on.
They all arrive at the reception and hand their invites over, they are taken to the top floor and into a large function room overlooking the sea. Jody is chatting to Michelle while Sam is gearing up for conversation with Gareth. Borko makes a big entrance and goes on to say that they have arranged for the children to be entertained elsewhere as them and speeches don’t mix.
Borko goes into speech mode until he winds it up, there are fire breathing stilt-walkers while he starts circling amongst the guests. Jody escapes to check on the children, she finds the room, the kids are wearing overalls and masks, firing paintballs at staff.
Jody brings Sam to see the kids, he cringes at the sight. They see Grace leading Dylan away, so call her and they both come running but one of the guards lifts his wrist to his mouth. When they leave the room, they meet Naji Hussein and they explain about the staff being fired at and that they want to leave. He leads them to a room and refreshments come. They drank them and one by one fell asleep.
When they woke up, Sam felt like he was dreaming, there was a rushing noise in his ears. The light is very bright as he opens his eyes and is that sand? Where are they? How did they get here?
This was a really great book to read, slow to start but when the action begins, you will find it’s hard to put the book down. This is the first book I have read by this author and he was recommended to me.
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