Cover Image: Not Without Risk

Not Without Risk

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Member Reviews

Good mystery thriller set in Liverpool England. At times a bit confusing with so many characters and British slang. But overall a good read.

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The underworld of politics and local planning seen through the eyes of a somewhat dodgy chap working for an equally dodgy property investment company which may or may not tie in with the death of his old climbing buddy. Sad to say I couldn't really get into the story, I didn't feel much sympathy with the characters let alone the dubious planning officers. It's not badly written or anything but just didn't grab me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

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I stopped reading about a third through …couldn’t get into it or care about the story. The plot regarding housing/ land deals was boring.

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An impeccably executed novel, reviving some of the tropes of hardboiled crime fiction. The characters are complicated and flawed, and the plot delves into the dark underbelly of social and political corruption on Merseyside. The setting is deeply atmospheric and the whole plot feels real and complex and true. The psychological acuity of the writing is razor-sharp, intelligent and intensely human. There's warmth and wit, wrapped in the dark cloak of black humour. Crime writing doesn't get any better than this.

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Graham Greene for the 2020s? This author has a writing style which punches without seeming to try. The story and characters are both strong but, for me, the writing style was what set this book apart.

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A decent enough read, but lacking in that special something to give it that extra edge.
Not read anything by the author before, but will keep an eye on him for future reads.

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Mysteries are my typical go-to for a can’t-put-it-down reading experience, but lately, many thrillers are too dark, too full of despair. And while mysteries will always contain some heart-pounding moments, some crime or murder, but a few authors handle this with a lighter touch.

Today I’m sharing a list of favorite mysteries that fall squarely within the confines of the genre, yet maintain a hopeful tone throughout. In other words, they are aren’t too dark and gloomy. The characters are, overall, good people (or at least they’re trying to be). The mysteries are puzzle-like, not overly gruesome. And the endings are satisfying.

If you’re craving a page-turning mystery to energize your reading life, I hope you find one here.

Entertaining contemporary mystery.

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