Author:James Crumley
'Crumley writes like an angel on speed' Time Out
Clark Air Force Base, the Philippines. 1962. Sergeant Jacob ‘Slag’ Krummel, wannabe scholar now warrior, is posted to the base to take command of the 721st Communication Security Detachment, perhaps the least committed band of drunken, rebellious and bored soldiers in the US Air Force. With the Vietnam War looming large in their minds, they cannot escape war, fear and the truth about America, overturning the lies they’ve been told about their homeland.
First published in 1969, this is the debut that launched the career of one of the greatest writers of his generation. Crumley’s timeless classic is a stunning exploration of the effects of war, told with his trademark razor-sharp dialogue, dark humour, relentless pace and remarkable set pieces.
A dark, intense and deeply felt novel
—— IndependentA brawling romantic novel about the hell of war, the value of friendship, the difficulties of loving and how to be a man despite it all
—— Washington PostA stunning narrative talent
—— New York TimesTop notch...an imaginative narrative sense, chaotic and even manic, but violently dramatic...excitingly new
—— Los Angeles TimesA gutting, eloquent first novel with an insistence you won't, you just can't evade
—— KirkusEmma Kavanagh is a very gifted writer, her eye for detail and her impeccably created characters make The Missing Hoursan absolute joy to read…The Missing Hoursis exceptionally detailed, intriguing and unusual. I was hooked from the very first chapter. An outstanding story with superb characters and an exciting plot.
—— Random Things Through My LetterboxI really enjoyed this book, and I mean really enjoyed it. I like my mysteries to be mysterious, my thrillers to be thrilling, and this was both of those things. The best stories are hard to guess but, once you know, make sense and that describes this one perfectly. While I didn't see it coming, a sense of understanding dawned on me when all became clear, so while it was unpredictable it was an ending that fitted perfectly with the story with hindsight. The writing is fluent and eloquent, and although I had a harder-to-tote hardback, I still stuck this one in my handbag as a chapter before bedtime was not going to be enough.
—— The BookbagSensationally ensnares its readers.
—— VogueIt is testament to Kavanagh’s skill as a writer that, aside from her ability to apply her inside knowledge of police and military operations so effectively, she is also able to create a compelling set of characters.
—— The Lady