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77th out of 283 books
—
263 voters
Peril
by
Ruby Barnes (Goodreads Author)
The first novel from Ruby Barnes (author of The Baptist).
A contemporary crime thriller set in Dublin and the medieval Irish city of Kilkenny.
Gerard Mayes is in a bind. He's committed most of the seven deadly sins and is trying to avoid paying the price.
'I balance on the precipice of life. Friends and family have turned their backs on me and walked into the shadowland. Poli...more
A contemporary crime thriller set in Dublin and the medieval Irish city of Kilkenny.
Gerard Mayes is in a bind. He's committed most of the seven deadly sins and is trying to avoid paying the price.
'I balance on the precipice of life. Friends and family have turned their backs on me and walked into the shadowland. Poli...more
Paperback, 368 pages
Published
April 5th 2012
by Marble City Publishing
(first published March 25th 2011)
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Part way through reading "Peril," I thought that Ruby Barnes had written a surprisingly good "bloke book" for a woman. OK, now I get it. Ruby Barnes is an Irishman, and quite an author. This book has movie option written all over it, and I would certainly look forward to it hitting the big screen.
The protagonist, Ger Mayes, is a middle-class Scot married to Jo, an Irish woman, and so they live in Ireland. Ger also has a mistress - Jo's friend Renee, a best friend in gay drug-enthusiast, Tom, and...more
The protagonist, Ger Mayes, is a middle-class Scot married to Jo, an Irish woman, and so they live in Ireland. Ger also has a mistress - Jo's friend Renee, a best friend in gay drug-enthusiast, Tom, and...more
From the cover, not what I expected. After the initial murder scene, a little slow...
In theory I shouldn’t have liked this book quite so much, but I thoroughly enjoyed it on a number of levels. No... I loved it, absolutely loved it.
Serious crime thriller yes, but only on one level; Peril is so much more.
The cover and description makes this novel looks rather serious, and it is, but the laughs are there in bucket-loads. Barnes style reminds me in parts of Mark Haddon; that dry black humour, wh...more
In theory I shouldn’t have liked this book quite so much, but I thoroughly enjoyed it on a number of levels. No... I loved it, absolutely loved it.
Serious crime thriller yes, but only on one level; Peril is so much more.
The cover and description makes this novel looks rather serious, and it is, but the laughs are there in bucket-loads. Barnes style reminds me in parts of Mark Haddon; that dry black humour, wh...more
I have always been attracted to character-driven stories, so Ruby Barnes' writing has always found me a receptive reader. Peril is my third Barnes read, and like the others, it has been a romp. Ger Mayes, the primary character has so many faults, I won't bother to sort through them, but he's a cheerful eedjit. Just smart enough to find several shovels with which to bury himself. This is a shifting study of bad decisions and how they can lead to nothing but additional bad decisions. Written in fi...more
Gerard Mayes is a terrible person in a terrible mess. He's on the verge of being fired and really doesn't care; he's really just counting the days until Aunt Mary dies and leaves his wife a sizeable inheritance; and he's playing a balancing act with his wife, mistress, and possible future mistress. And now, he's being blackmailed by a gang of drug dealers. And the fun is just beginning...
In Ruby Barnes' novel "Peril", he has created a character who most readers will love to hate. Gerard is every...more
In Ruby Barnes' novel "Peril", he has created a character who most readers will love to hate. Gerard is every...more
Slow and droll start that almost had me putting down this book and thinking that not all indie books are worth reading. However, the author has a good writing style and there was just enough of a tantalizing plot that I thought I should keep reading since the author spent a good deal of time writing.
As I got past the doldrums, I found myself reading a fast paced, well crafted story, with unlikeable characters. I was hooked! I was mesmerized by the path the characters take and their tribulations....more
As I got past the doldrums, I found myself reading a fast paced, well crafted story, with unlikeable characters. I was hooked! I was mesmerized by the path the characters take and their tribulations....more
This is phenomenal writing. The author has an absolute knack for sketching out characters and pulling the reader into their lives and motivations. As a result the reader finds themselves sympathising with situations and decisions that they normally wouldn't.
I'll admit to varying between 4 & 5 stars on this one, because I've never met a character I disliked so much (Bella from Twilight doesn't come close). The main character in this book, Ger, made me want to reach through the pages and slap...more
I'll admit to varying between 4 & 5 stars on this one, because I've never met a character I disliked so much (Bella from Twilight doesn't come close). The main character in this book, Ger, made me want to reach through the pages and slap...more
It's the mark of a truly great author when he can create a character that is not only flawed, but is downright unlikeable - and yet you find yourself rooting for him, sympathizing with him, and hoping he'll come out on top. Ruby Barnes has created such a character in Ger Mayes.
It's almost impossible to tell you much about the story without giving it away, just suffice it to say you must read Ger's story. This is a man who can't make a good decision, ever, and doesn't seem to learn from his mist...more
It's almost impossible to tell you much about the story without giving it away, just suffice it to say you must read Ger's story. This is a man who can't make a good decision, ever, and doesn't seem to learn from his mist...more
Feb 04, 2012
Mallory Anne-Marie Forbes
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
modern suspense readers
4 Stars
Gerard is finding himself in a heap of trouble. A drunken evening, and he gets confused about which way is home. The river looks different, odd even-is he in the right place? Then he’s attacked by, of all things, a mugger-and while trying to defend himself, remembers that someone else had been beaten to death in that area earlier. Looks like he could well be the next victim! This mugger is not out for just what’s in that wallet (good thing, cause Gerard’s is empty); looks like he’s out fo...more
Gerard is finding himself in a heap of trouble. A drunken evening, and he gets confused about which way is home. The river looks different, odd even-is he in the right place? Then he’s attacked by, of all things, a mugger-and while trying to defend himself, remembers that someone else had been beaten to death in that area earlier. Looks like he could well be the next victim! This mugger is not out for just what’s in that wallet (good thing, cause Gerard’s is empty); looks like he’s out fo...more
I had little idea what to expect when I opened this book. From the teaser I suspected that it would probably be a suspense noir using Dublin as a setting and, in all honesty, there is a bit of that. But Ruby Barnes' writing style and story telling skills were a pleasant surprise. In Ger Mayes he has created complete scoundrel, with few redeeming qualities, that nonetheless steals the reader's heart. Ger is a person hopelessly self-centered who makes all the wrong moves and yet I found myself con...more
Ger Mayes is one of those types of guys who make some women try to tuck him beneath their wing so they can take care of him. Others will follow along and pray he gets exactly what he deserves. Whichever kind you end up being, you’re sure to have a blast following this womanizing idiot as he gets himself into one bad mess after another, each one just slightly worse than the one before it. I didn’t know whether to laugh, or groan and slap my forehead, thinking it a good idea to pull him by the ear...more
Apr 22, 2012
Perry Aylen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
not-for-boys,
read-kindle
He's not the standard hero, he's not the typical male lead; he's a real man; about half as clever as he thinks he is, where thinking is a reaction, not an action.
One part of me thought he's too stupid for words, whereas the other part thought - there but for the grace of God....
A clever story, well told, with a good supporting cast round a character that defies pigeon-holing.
One part of me thought he's too stupid for words, whereas the other part thought - there but for the grace of God....
A clever story, well told, with a good supporting cast round a character that defies pigeon-holing.
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars
When I first heard about this book I was quite intrigued with the idea of an “anti-hero” as the main character. I really liked the idea, it sounded really interesting; I had high hopes for it. HOWEVER, I did have some frustrations! This book was incredibly slow and there were several times when I wanted to put it down, but the author kept me reading even though I found myself hating how the story goes.
Mr. Barnes is really a gifted writer. He had created a unique character....more
When I first heard about this book I was quite intrigued with the idea of an “anti-hero” as the main character. I really liked the idea, it sounded really interesting; I had high hopes for it. HOWEVER, I did have some frustrations! This book was incredibly slow and there were several times when I wanted to put it down, but the author kept me reading even though I found myself hating how the story goes.
Mr. Barnes is really a gifted writer. He had created a unique character....more
This book was incredibly slow for the most part. There were several times when I wanted to put it down and not pick it back up. I pulled through and found the last quarter of the book made everything else pull together and became much more interesting.
The main character is a complete buffoon, which no one should trust. He is a very good “hero”. Ger is a perfect example of how not every main character has to be perfect in order to make the story interesting. If fact he was it probably would’ve...more
The main character is a complete buffoon, which no one should trust. He is a very good “hero”. Ger is a perfect example of how not every main character has to be perfect in order to make the story interesting. If fact he was it probably would’ve...more
Gerard (call me Ger) Mayes fancies himself with the ladies; in fact he embarks upon an affair with his wife's best friend. In a drunken brawl, he kills a Romanian beggar and the man's twin brother demands money in recompense. He also demands an illegal act from Ger, or he will supply evidence of the killing to the Garda. Ger is, to my mind, an unpleasant, selfish and amoral individual but his tale is compelling reading.
The story is told as a first person narrative, mainly by Ger, though occasion...more
The story is told as a first person narrative, mainly by Ger, though occasion...more
2 likes · like · see review
This entire book played out like a film noire in my head, for some reason. It starts in medias res, then slowly develops it's characters and plot before going headstrong into the book's pinnacle. It's probably because of the beginning slowness of the story line, as well as the lack of descriptive visual traits of the characters that made me a little apprehensive of giving this five stars, but the thriller did just as it promised, it thrilled. I was surprised with how the book started to shock an...more
I got this as a giveaway which meant I had nothing to worry about if I didn't like it, but I loved it. A flawed main character who has an inflated idea of his own ability leads us into a journey through Dublin's sub-culture, via Amsterdam, to a reveal at the end which is excellent. Ruby's characters are well drawn and realistic and there is not a word of superfluous dialogue or description in the book. If you like gritty tales with a hint of gangsterism, this is for you. I went straight to Amazo...more
PERIL by Ruby Barnes
An engaging romp through Dublin (mostly) in the company of a young(-ish) man called Ger Mayes with the morals of a stray mongrel and a serious drink habit. Forced to commit an unspeakable crime, he is soon in thrall to a community of blackmailers. He turns to an old, rich friend for help. Unfortunately, his friend’s moral compass is even more at sea than his own and the two of them get deeper and deeper into the mire as they attempt to extricate themselves and line their pock...more
An engaging romp through Dublin (mostly) in the company of a young(-ish) man called Ger Mayes with the morals of a stray mongrel and a serious drink habit. Forced to commit an unspeakable crime, he is soon in thrall to a community of blackmailers. He turns to an old, rich friend for help. Unfortunately, his friend’s moral compass is even more at sea than his own and the two of them get deeper and deeper into the mire as they attempt to extricate themselves and line their pock...more
In line with my reviewing policy of only giving a write-up to books I have enjoyed, I now have great pleasure in making a few comments on Ruby Barnes's Peril, a novel which could also have been titled, "The Power of Positive Thinking for Feckless Scots Bent on Raising Levels of Dissatisfaction Among Irish Wives, Mistresses, Relatives, Beggars and Rail Customers Who Have the Temerity to Make Complaints".
Ger Mayes is a loveable ne'er do well from North of that Border uniting Scotland and England....more
Ger Mayes is a loveable ne'er do well from North of that Border uniting Scotland and England....more
3 likes · like · see review
Nov 07, 2011
Ruby Barnes
added it
· (Review from the author)
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
written-by-ruby
A note from the author:
Ladies, don't let your man read this book. You don't want him getting ideas on how to misbehave.
Fellas, keep your copy well hidden.
PERIL is the story of Gerard Mayes, an anti-hero. Men want to be him, women want to redeem him. Ger's story is fiction, but his origins are real - everyday folk living and working in a Dublin city center wracked with organized begging, drug addicts, and violent crime. It's not all leprechauns and shillelaghs in Ireland.
Ger is a slacker. A cons...more
Ladies, don't let your man read this book. You don't want him getting ideas on how to misbehave.
Fellas, keep your copy well hidden.
PERIL is the story of Gerard Mayes, an anti-hero. Men want to be him, women want to redeem him. Ger's story is fiction, but his origins are real - everyday folk living and working in a Dublin city center wracked with organized begging, drug addicts, and violent crime. It's not all leprechauns and shillelaghs in Ireland.
Ger is a slacker. A cons...more
If you're looking for an everyone lives happily ever after tale, keep on looking, you won't find it here. The world seems to be crashing down around Ger in this witty, well written, engaging story. Even though much of Ger's "peril" is due to his own lack of self control I couldn't help but feel sorry for him as he dug himself in deeper and deeper from one bad situation to the next. A very enjoyable read.
Five Star Winner!
Ruby Barnes's novel "Peril," is a good book. My goodness, I enjoyed this book. It had it all, drama, mystery, love gone bad, crime, etc. The main character is dispictable, however you are drawn to him. You dislike him, feel sorry for him at times but he gives you a inside look into the seedy side of Ireland.
Ruby Barnes's novel "Peril," is a good book. My goodness, I enjoyed this book. It had it all, drama, mystery, love gone bad, crime, etc. The main character is dispictable, however you are drawn to him. You dislike him, feel sorry for him at times but he gives you a inside look into the seedy side of Ireland.
I found this to be an enjoyable book. The protagonist is in turn naive, arrogant, scheming, criminal, lovable, innocent and guilty. There are enough twists to be interesting and the story line is a good one despite the fact that the reader knows what's going on most of the time. Barnes has done a fine job with this one.
This book was received in eBook format in exchange for an honest review.
This book was received in eBook format in exchange for an honest review.
My first book by this author. Free on Amazon so gave it a try. Took a while to get into it. Probably won't read anything else by this author.
I really enjoyed this quirky crime tale. The story was fast paced and full of surprises and written with a great balance of dark humour and sorrow. I'll definitely be on the look out for more books by this author.
Ger Mayes is despicable, so despicable that you can't help but to pay attention to his every move.
Well done Mr. Barnes
Well done Mr. Barnes
A rollicking fun read. Ruby is a funny man, and his style is infectious. A fine tale about a lovable rogue.
Quirky, at points crass, but creative and entertaining.
Well done!
Barnes breaks 3 rules that usually make or break a book for me, and he still won me over. As noted, the protagonist is unlikable. It's written in the present tense. Some early chapters are narrated by different characters, 1 chapter each, and then the format is dropped.
Good writing prevails.
Good writing prevails.
1 like · like · see review
A picaresque tale of Ger, a Scot living in Ireland, who makes a very, very bad mistake whilst drunk one night, then becomes embroiled in a complex saga affecting his nearest and dearest.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Mystery, Crim...: Giveaway of Peril by Ruby Barnes | 1 | 5 | May 17, 2012 08:54am | |
| Writers and Readers : Giveaway of Peril by Ruby Barnes | 1 | 5 | May 08, 2012 03:33am |
I'm an author and a reader. I write dark thrillers - Peril, The Baptist, The Crucible - and read thrillers and literary fiction.
I've pedalled the pushbike of life until the chain fell off. Now living in rural Ireland where the natives are friendly and the weather atrocious, I write crime fiction and thrillers.
Ruby's News is my mail list with freebies, pre-release info and other updates. As a welco...more
More about Ruby Barnes...
I've pedalled the pushbike of life until the chain fell off. Now living in rural Ireland where the natives are friendly and the weather atrocious, I write crime fiction and thrillers.
Ruby's News is my mail list with freebies, pre-release info and other updates. As a welco...more
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Jan 24, 2012 06:42am
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