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Scapegoat
Scapegoat
Oct 5, 2024 11:24 AM

Author:Daniel Pennac

Scapegoat

Pathetic, contrite and hapless, Benjamin is nonetheless the scapegoat at The Store: there is nothing for which he cannot be blamed. While his blunders remain minor, most of his unwitting victims can find it in their hearts to forgive him, but when violent explosions begin to follow him around, he inevitably becomes the prime suspect. With his girlfriend Julie by his side, Benjamin thrusts himself into uncovering the mystery, delving deep into underground Paris and pursuing the truth through a maze of bizarre criminality and oppressive shadows.

Reviews

A gripping whodunnit and a subtle study of the mind of a psychopath

—— Daily Mail

I loved this book. Masterly and satisfying

—— Ruth Rendell

This book must be judged as a potential successor to the great sequences of detective writing by PD James and Ruth Rendell...excellent

—— Daily Telegraph

She has the priceless ability to construct a solidly-researched narrative that keeps the reader turning the pages

—— Independent

Hill's first crime novel has a grip of steel

—— Woman and Home

For the first time in years, P D James has serious competition

—— Literary Review

Extraordinarily detailed world, impeccably researched . . . so superbly written that it soars as a masterly work of fiction . . . utterly compelling.

—— Dermot Bolger , IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY

An intriguing debut (that) sets out Hughes as one to watch.

—— SUNDAY TIMES IRELAND

A skilfully planned, elegantly written debut . . . a riveting read.

—— SUNDAY INDEPENDENT

Stupendous: a brilliant achievement for a first novel, completely compelling and with a perfectly damaged central character.

—— MANDA SCOTT

Told in the voice of its oddly detached protagonist, this is a memorable novel - a chilling story of a man gradually losing all sense of what makes life worth living.

—— Sunday Times, Culture magazine

This dark gem... The knowledgable Andrew Hughes carefully recreates a truly grim time, seemingly stripped of morals, and one where a brutal end lurks on each street.

—— Sunday Sport

With its polished prose, vivid period feel and debauched protagonist, this assured first novel will be relished by fans of literary crime and historical fiction alike.

—— Irish Times

The story is not for the faint of heart, but for those who love being thrilled, gripped by an unputdownable book, and who loves reading about the dark side of life, then this is the book for them. This chilling novel is amazing and I loved every page. Simply fabulous.

—— Historical Novel Review

At once a close character study and a sweeping panorama of the era of 'dissectionists', who buy bodies for medical research and the 'resurectionists' who dig them up, this fascinating book is a stirring work of fiction and a perceptive chapter in Ireland's social history.

—— The New York Times Book Review

ghastly, riveting tale.

—— Entertainment Weekly

Highly unsettling

—— Daily Telegraph

A tantalising mystery

—— Sunday Telegraph

Captures sinister atmosphere brilliantly

—— Spectator
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