Category: Matador Publishing

According to the Daily Mail by Laurence Simpson

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According to the Daily Mail by Laurence Simpson

 

Review Date: 17 December 2015

Author: Laurence Simpson

Release Date: 25 August 2015

Publishers: Matador

ISBN –10: 1784625418

ISBN – 13: 978-1784625412

320pp

Available in Hardback, Paperback and Kindle

 

The Last Word Review

Witty and amusing story taking a swipe at the worst of our daily tabloid journals

When you pick up a copy of According to the Daily Mail by Laurence Simpson it is not perhaps the greatest title for a book, but do not be deterred by this, what Simpson has written here is a witty, snappy jibe at a certain daily newspaper called the Daily Mail, I am no fan of this tabloid newspaper it’s daily headlines are enough to put me off my breakfast. But there are those who love this daily tabloid.

Those of us who just plainly despair at the daily wittering of this countries tabloid newspapers and the endless following of wannabee celebrities who thrive off these newspapers will love the wit and humour in According to the Daily Mail.

The story follows Jonathon who decided he has had enough of the style of journalistic licence from this newspaper and decided it is time something was done. So he gathers together a band of brothers of the ex-military types who know how to handle themselves and a plan is hatched not only to go and blow up the printing presses of the Daily Mail but also Jonathon now decides he needs to employ a hacker who will take down their website.

Does Jonathon succeed in his plans to go for the Daily Mail? And our intrepid Jonathon has not finished he even goes and then hires another experienced fellow to ‘pirate TV programmes, has Jonathon gone a step too far with his plans the law is now suspecting him of his plots and are not too far behind but like all mastermind criminals Jonathon has alibi’s. On the case is Inspector Foot and he is not one to leave a stone unturned and suspects Jonathon is deeply up to his neck in this.

This is an extremely cleverly written novel one which reminds me so much of our comical crime capers of days gone by. This is extremely funny and the attention to detail in the plans for the attacks raised my eyebrows. This story has everything including some romance along the way. The reverse of the dust jack tells of ‘sporadic eroticism’ yes I can vouch for that. There is everything in detail even lots of talk of food and boozy binges. This is a laugh out loud story but there is a serious message behind the story that is According to the Daily Mail.

One question does spring to mind here, is Jonathon based on the author Laurence Simpson I say that as Jonathon has the taste of fine wines, Malt Whisky and fine motors, a coincidence or just planned this way.

I know Laurence is planning another book that looks outstanding. Get this while you can and enjoy a jolly good caper.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Meet the Author

Laurence Simpson

Author photo

Laurence Simpson spent most of his working life in advertising, where he was known as ‘Loz’ and where he won numerous major awards in London, Cannes and New York.

He lives in Surrey with his wife, whose hobbies include blowing out nearside front tyres by mounting the kerb at speed, smashing headlamp units by driving into the backs of other peoples’ cars and, counter-productively, losing her car keys.

He has a mother in Melbourne, a stepmother in Sussex, a mother-in-law in Moscow, two children in Sydney and two children in London, in his relentless pursuit of the simple life.
 

Death by Dangerous by Olly Jarvis

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Death by Dangerous by Olly Jarvis

 

Review Date: 20 October 2015

Author: Olly Jarvis

Release Date: 24 June 2015

Publishers: Matador

ISBN –10: 1784623490

ISBN – 13: 978-1784623494

368pp

Available in Paperback and Kindle

 

The Last Word Review

Fast paced thriller from inside the court room, an outstanding debut crime novel

If like me you enjoy a great crime thriller that is set within the walls of the courtroom then Death by Dangerous is a book you that you should add to your reading list.

To say Death by Dangerous is gripping is an understatement. When I read the synopsis on the reverse of the book I was curious to see how the story would pan out. I just wish I had come to this book a lot sooner than I did. I was hooked.

The basis of the story centres on Barrister John Anderson who is accused of falling asleep at the when of his car, here the story really starts. John cannot recall anything.

I want you to imagine yourself in a position when it seems you have the world at your feet and then the fingers are pointed and the rug is well and truly pulled from under you. Just imagine the torment the anguish as you see friends shun you and then there is your family and how that is tested to its very limit. You start to question yourself. Why is this happening?

Olly Jarvis has not only the experience of being a barrister so that he tells it as it really is when you get to the courtroom. This is a an incredibly fast paced thriller that has so many twists and turns that it leaves you asking questions. How would you cope in this situation? At times it was frightening to read about the CJS and its inner workings let alone what Jon was going through. It is difficult not to feel some empathy here for the accused. Let us not beat around the bush here John is facing prison and he is fighting not only for his life he is fighting for his sanity we learn so much about his character, as at first he comes across as some may say arrogant is his own way, but the persona soon breaks down and there is more to John as you will discover. Some also say the higher you climb the harder the fall. But the same time when you hit the bottom there is only one to go from there you have to fight your way back up again.

Along with the twists and turns in Death by Dangerous there are a number of characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each one with some sort of a motive. The fact that this story goes to the very last page and keeps you wondering just adds to the tension. The perfect legal crime novel.

With the long dark winter nights ahead grab a copy of Death by Dangerous and discover the new writing talent of Olly Jarvis. I have a feeling we will be hearing great things of this brilliant new legal writer.

My thanks to both Matador and Olly Jarvis for a review copy.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Meet the Author

Olly Jarvis

 Olly Jarvis is a writer and criminal defence barrister, originally from London but now working in Manchester. Drawing on his experiences, he writes both fiction and non-fiction with a particular understanding of the pressures and excitement of life in the courtroom. He wrote highly acclaimed Radio 4 drama Judgement, exploring a barrister’s thought processes whilst cross-examining a rape victim. Using his knowledge of the Indonesian language, he travelled to Sumatra where he wrote and presented a BBC documentary entitled Mum Knows Best. Son of actor/director Martin Jarvis OBE, Olly has two children and lives in Cheshire.