A review by rogerb
East of England by Eamonn Martin Griffin

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don't know how this got onto my "to read" list.  It's published by unbound, of whom I approve.

Griffin writes in a particular style - pithy, in your face staccato.  It took a bit of time to stop regarding this as an annoying affectation and to enjoy it, but on balance it works well.  I wonder if all his books are this way, or maybe it's reserved for Matlock.  I have to assume there's more than one Matlock book.

I did enjoy the way he painted a picture of contemporary desolation in parts of Englend; he frequently found one liners that captured this sort of thing quite well for me.  I also rather enjoyed the way that almost everyone in the book was criminal to some extent or another;  good to see the reader's hero graduating to murder.

I'd happily pick up another of his.