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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
Another book brought to my reading table by the mighty Pigeonhole, always tempting me out of my comfort zone and into the pages of books I wouldn't automatically be drawn to.
This is a political thriller where journalism meets scandal, highly dodgy financial dealings and individuals who will sacrifice anyone for the sake of a headline grabbing, hugely saleable scoop. No-one appears to have any scruples in their bid to track down the latest news within Parliament and especially in this novel as it is set when a general election is imminent.
From a family mired in the machinations of the British political system Clare is a high flier in the civil service and Gil, her brother, the chaser of stories aimed at exposing the corruption, influence and monopoly big finance houses, corporations, media moguls and politicians have on the way the ordinary citizen will have to lead their ordinary lives.
To start with I was worried this was a loosely disguised commentary on our political parties and leaders, with trade union and fiscal policy debates. However, quite early on the novel extends its reach to include the very personal heartbreak of Gil losing his sister. She is the victim of a hit and run whilst out on her bike and everyone believes Gil should accept Clare's death with as much dignity as possible.
However Gil, astute and always keen to get to the truth by whatever unsavoury means, cannot shake off the feeling that something about Clare's death is odd and out of kilter. For a man dependent on drugs and alcohol to self medicate Gil Peck is a hungry journalist who will stop at nothing to find out if Clare was killed deliberately. Has his judgement been skewed by his addictions? Is he on the verge of a breakdown? And will those in power seek a way to silence him?
Tense, knowledgeable, well written and I would imagine a work which could resemble non-fiction/biography, this novel is interesting edgy and well worth a read.
This is a political thriller where journalism meets scandal, highly dodgy financial dealings and individuals who will sacrifice anyone for the sake of a headline grabbing, hugely saleable scoop. No-one appears to have any scruples in their bid to track down the latest news within Parliament and especially in this novel as it is set when a general election is imminent.
From a family mired in the machinations of the British political system Clare is a high flier in the civil service and Gil, her brother, the chaser of stories aimed at exposing the corruption, influence and monopoly big finance houses, corporations, media moguls and politicians have on the way the ordinary citizen will have to lead their ordinary lives.
To start with I was worried this was a loosely disguised commentary on our political parties and leaders, with trade union and fiscal policy debates. However, quite early on the novel extends its reach to include the very personal heartbreak of Gil losing his sister. She is the victim of a hit and run whilst out on her bike and everyone believes Gil should accept Clare's death with as much dignity as possible.
However Gil, astute and always keen to get to the truth by whatever unsavoury means, cannot shake off the feeling that something about Clare's death is odd and out of kilter. For a man dependent on drugs and alcohol to self medicate Gil Peck is a hungry journalist who will stop at nothing to find out if Clare was killed deliberately. Has his judgement been skewed by his addictions? Is he on the verge of a breakdown? And will those in power seek a way to silence him?
Tense, knowledgeable, well written and I would imagine a work which could resemble non-fiction/biography, this novel is interesting edgy and well worth a read.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very good political thriller that takes place in the U.K. in 1997, just before an election that would bring the Labour in power, after almost 20 years of Tory governments. I enjoyed reading it from page one to the very last page.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perfect holiday reading, a gripping political thriller full of dark deeds, devilish doings and flawed characters. To say this is history re-writ and full of “thinly disguised characters” (I bet Peston would like £1 for every time a reviewer says this about his first novel!) is an understatement. All that said, first novel, flaws and all, this kept my attention well and I enjoyed going back to 1st May 1997, when the country rode on a tide of faith in new leadership, before it ultimately crashed out on spin, cynicism and disappointment. If you enjoyed House of Cards, you’ll appreciate this.
Set in 1997, in the run up to a general election in Britain, our protagonist is a financial journalist called Gil Peck. Believing that his work is the greatest priority in life, Gil has become estranged from his family as he focuses on bagging the biggest and most sensational political stories - regardless of who is involved. But Gil is suddenly pulled back into the bosom of his family when his sister dies. Claire worked at the Treasury and there are many rumours flying around after her death. With a nose for a story and also suspicious about how Claire died, Gil launches his own investigation into a world of politics, money, corruption and murder.
For a story with so many important characters, Preston has kept up a rapid pace and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.. Due to his experiences as a political journalist, Preston has added a sense of authenticity to his novel and part of the fun is trying to recognize scenarios and characters.
This is my first book by Robert Preston and after finishing, I'm eager to read more of his work! Let's hope that he continues to write such exciting and page turning fiction.
For a story with so many important characters, Preston has kept up a rapid pace and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.. Due to his experiences as a political journalist, Preston has added a sense of authenticity to his novel and part of the fun is trying to recognize scenarios and characters.
This is my first book by Robert Preston and after finishing, I'm eager to read more of his work! Let's hope that he continues to write such exciting and page turning fiction.
This was a very interesting read, there were definite nods to real life politicians and media people. The characters were well drawn, even those who were parodies of real people. I did occasionally have to remind myself that this was 1997 and not now when something happened and I would think that Gil would just use his smartphone to Google it or that cctv would catch it and then I would remember, "No, he couldn't have done that, he's just got a pair of clunky Nokias!".
The plot was very apt and well thought out, although the book did go a bit wobbly/slow & meandering in the middle. I am glad I stuck with it as the last section was fast paced and more "thriller-like".
Read and enjoyed with thanks on the Pigeonhole.
The plot was very apt and well thought out, although the book did go a bit wobbly/slow & meandering in the middle. I am glad I stuck with it as the last section was fast paced and more "thriller-like".
Read and enjoyed with thanks on the Pigeonhole.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good pace book with a couple of twists that I had already guessed! Made me think about current politics and affairs
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Following the journey of newspaper journalist Gil Peck in the build-up to the 1997 general election, The Whistleblower takes you on on a journey into the corrupt world of British politics and journalism. With each chapter, past about halfway, holding a different twist or turn, this is an enjoyable read. However, the first a-hundred-or-so pages are dense.
I have no doubt Peston is good at his day-job, he's an excellent journalist for ITV, but he carries this too much into the first part of the book, meaning we get the most nitty-gritty details about how the lobby works in Parliament, how his newspaper is organised... and it's just a bit heavy. For me, this book could easily be cut down by a few chapters by taking out, what I call, "the fluff". The bits you really don't need - but yet they're still there.
The actual main body of the story though is excellent - a thriller, it most certainly is. And, I have to be fair, I was left guessing right until the end. Talking about the end - I wish that was a bit stronger too. It just felt all a bit too... sudden? A good book, with an excellent storyline, but just some bits that needed ironing out - 3.5 stars.
I have no doubt Peston is good at his day-job, he's an excellent journalist for ITV, but he carries this too much into the first part of the book, meaning we get the most nitty-gritty details about how the lobby works in Parliament, how his newspaper is organised... and it's just a bit heavy. For me, this book could easily be cut down by a few chapters by taking out, what I call, "the fluff". The bits you really don't need - but yet they're still there.
The actual main body of the story though is excellent - a thriller, it most certainly is. And, I have to be fair, I was left guessing right until the end. Talking about the end - I wish that was a bit stronger too. It just felt all a bit too... sudden? A good book, with an excellent storyline, but just some bits that needed ironing out - 3.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Sexual content
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes