Author:Henry Sutton
In awe of his wife, hounded by his agent and ignored by his editor, mild mannered crime novelist David Slavitt finds his life is spiralling out of control. He needs to do something - but just how far is he prepared to go?
My Criminal World introduces us to struggling crime writer, David Slavitt. Living in constant fear that his editor might drop him in favour of the next new talent, David juggles house work and child care alongside plot twists and character development.
But as his wife grows increasingly distant and his agent insists that his new book needs more violence – a lot more violence – David is getting worried. He needs to do something if he is to save his career, and his marriage. But just how far is this most mild mannered of crime writers prepared to go? And who is the person really pulling the strings in this story? In this clever literary crime novel, there is more than one mystery to be solved.
My Criminal World by Henry Sutton is sombre fun in which a crime novelist finds his new project almost as hard-going as his marriage until murder intrudes and provides him with fresh impetus. Sutton clearly knows crime fiction and its practitioners and it shows in this wry dissection
—— Ian RankinHilarious... A double-dealing mystery that screams success
—— Mark Sanderson , Sunday TelegraphThe meta-novel for crime fiction lovers, boasting two intertwined mysteries and an unnervingly insightful trip through the mind of a thriller writer: the obsession, the inspiration, the insecurities, and the compulsion to turn every last experience into plot
—— Christopher BrookmyreIf Patricia Cornwall and Martin Amis had a book together it would look just like My Criminal World - a wickedly funny novel that dances on the razor-thin line between entertainment and art, crime and punishment... As funny as all hell and as blood-pumping as any thriller, My Criminal World is a love letter to crime fiction
—— Tony ParsonsSutton brilliantly lays bare the life of a desperate writer, lifts the lid on the murky world of crime fiction and throws in a damn good mystery to boot
—— Mark BillinghamAn engaging debut... Assured and delicately written, Dolan paints a nuanced portrait of a detective and a city
—— Daily MailA new author to watch... This debut is so impressive
—— Matt Thorne , Sunday ExpressEva Dolan's writing is snappy, confident and sharp as a blade, with a storytelling style that bubbles and fizzes
—— Crime Fiction LoverImpressive...the clever plot illuminates the social issues and personal despair that often accompany immigration to cities already suffering financial stress
—— Marcel Berlins , The TimesAn absorbing, provocative tale… This is an exceptional debut
—— Irish TimesA stunning debut... The subject matter is fascinating, the execution of it is a joy to read
—— James Oswald, author of Natural Causes, the winner of the Richard and Judy 2013 Summer Book ClubEva Dolan’s debut novel in the increasingly crowded world of crime fiction deserves a little stand-out time… A highly effective and meaty crime novel…complete with twists and turns that genuinely take you by surprise
—— Glasgow Sunday HeraldLong Way Home is one of the strongest debut novels I've read in a long time. Beautifully written and imagined, Dolan renders a previously hidden world alive with compelling detail. Original and gripping, compassionate and salutary, you won't want to stop reading until the final page
—— Stav Sherez, author of A Dark RedemptionA brilliant introduction to a new crime series… The plot is tight, the anger righteous and the action thrilling
—— Paul Connolly , MetroAn absorbing debut detective series. The burnt body of a migrant worker is found and it's up to DI Zigic and DS Ferreira to find out the truth. We loved it – keep an eye out for this author!
—— EssentialsCool, confident and classy, Eva Dolan's LONG WAY HOME is a stand out debut that combines intelligent, issue-led crime fiction with a vivid prose style, a compelling plot and a detective duo to root for. Dolan provides a fresh and fascinating insight into a little-known aspect of Modern Britain, and I can't wait to read more of DI Zigic and DS Ferreira in future books
—— Chris EwanLong Way Home is a truly exceptional debut crime novel, a perceptive, smart and harrowing look at modern England. Written with great skill, confidence and originality, it feels like a game-changer for twenty-first century British crime fiction
—— Doug Johnstone, author of Smokeheads and Hit and RunLong Way Home gave me that tingle of excitement that only happens rarely, the feeling I got when I first read George Pelecanos and Dennis Lehane - the combination of brilliant writing, a thrilling plot and social heart. I genuinely think it's one of the best debuts I've ever read
—— Mark EdwardsEva Dolan is the real deal. Plenty of contemporary British crime writers claim to write about the real world but in Dolan's brave, brilliant debut she nails it completely. The Daily Mail will hate it. I loved it.
—— Martyn WaitesA pacy, twisty, compelling and addictive crime thriller - but it's so much more besides. For me, the best experiences in literature are those that take you somewhere you don't know; to people and places you have never encountered. I was hoping for a rattling good page-turner. I wasn't expecting anything quite so profound
—— Kevin SampsonEva Dolan’s stunning novel is a gritty and unflinching look into a seedy, violent world that most of us would rather pretend never existed. In DI Zigic and DS Fereira, Dolan has created two authentic and intriguing characters
—— Howard Linskey, author of The Drop and The DamageCrisp and intelligent writing, strong characters, a great mystery and an engaging style. From the first page, I knew I was in safe hands
—— Dan Smith, author of The Child Thief and Red WinterAn assured and compelling debut that brings multi-cultural Britain vividly to life. I feel I know Zigic and Ferreira, the protagonists of this terrific novel, and look forward to their next outing. I hope I don’t have to wait too long
—— Craig Roberston, author of Random and Witness the DeadA novel set in Peterborough might not be the most tempting of premises, but this is worth your time detective duo Zigic and Ferreira, Dolan has created two engaging characters. The first of a series, this is a promising debut that pulls no punches
—— ShortlistWith such compelling characters, Dolan breathes new life into the police procedural novel and marks herself out as an exciting writer to watch
—— UK Press SyndicationDolan's a terrific new talent, and I can't wait to be kept awake by her next novel
—— Kate Saunders , SagaA great read, a real page turner and a very satisfactory ending
—— Jeremy Ransome , Spalding GuardianAn impressive series debut, and the next book will be eagerly awaited
—— Good Book GuideRaw and real start to a new series
—— Sarah Hilary , Red OnlineWhat could be standard police procedural stands out for its excellent character work and the timely way it deals with hot-button political topics dominating the headlines
—— HeraldThe plot is tight, the anger righteous but not worthy, and the action thrilling. Happily she has a new novel out next year
—— MetroGripping…Excellent book.
—— Dorothy Flaxman , NudgeA fine, literary thriller; cold, at times almost nauseatingly disturbing
—— Alison Flood , GuardianA fascinating, subtle, really original modern Gothic thriller
—— Rebecca Chance , Daily Record