‘A small miracle – sharp, sly, moving and full of heart.' Nick Cave

‘Part comic romp and part nail-biting thriller ... Castle Freeman writes with both wit and a deep understanding of the human psyche, and he does not cheat us out of a dramatic climax.’ Guardian

‘Shares many small-town, big-crime themes with Cormac McCarthy... it is impossible not to appreciate this.’ The Times

'Wonderful... every paragraph a gem. Freeman – like Cormac McCarthy, like Annie Proulx – shows us the awkward realness of lives, and does it with humour, with wry perception, with great style.' R. J. Ellory

‘Extremely funny... streamlined storytelling, dead-on dialogue and lyrical descriptions of the bleak, woodsy landscape. This is a meticulous New England miniature, with not a word wasted.’ Oprah Magazine

‘A fast, memorable read gooey with atmosphere … a gem that sparkles with sly insight and cuts like a knife.’ Boston Globe

‘Freeman has a flawless ear for dialogue and a sharp eye for quirky detail … Superb.’ People Magazine

‘A brilliant book – laconic, spare, stylish and exciting.’ Al Alvarez

‘A small masterpiece of black comedy and suspense … If all novels were this good, Americans would read more.’ Kirkus Reviews