Murphy's Revenge

Martin Murphy #2

by Colin Bateman

trade edition paperback, new

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller

375 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2005

About the author

Colin Bateman was a journalist in Northern Ireland before becoming a full-time writer. His first novel, Divorcing Jack, won the Betty Trask Prize, and all his novels have been critically acclaimed. He wrote the screenplays for the feature films of Divorcing Jack, Crossmaheart and Wild About Harry. He lives in Northern Ireland with his family.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel to 'Murphy's Law' sees Murphy go undercover in Confront, an organisation that surveils and looks to gather evidence against suspected murderers that have gotten off on technicalities. Continuing in the vein if the first book, as a more adult mature dark comedy set in London, as Murphy's past yet again rears it head in his caseload. 6 out of 12.

[Daniel Henshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid sequel.
But Goodreads, this book is by Colin Bateman, not Colin Murphy

[Vincent McKean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this, hugely funny, fast paced and great characters

[Pam Blower · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one !!!

[Matt Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pace, superb dialogue and a story line complex enough to be intriguing without having to be revisited for comprehension. Really enjoyed it.

[Paul Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this as I waited for a screening of Divorcing Jack, attended by Colin Bateman. 30 minutes later, I was hooked. If you've read other books by Colin, you'll pretty much know what to expect. A well-worked story line, a mix of well-drawn characters, a large dose of humour.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice read. The story seemed real enough to really invovle you. It was all a bit sad but a whole lot exciting, too. I liked the books's writing and overall the book was really good, too.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was the PB version of this cover I read. Only a fraction below three stars and one of the reasons I think it missed out was because it was several books through a series and there was something of an assumption that readers already knew the character. To be honest it did get better but on the whole I felt the tone was flippant and lacked solidity - I was always conscious that I was reading a story rather than living the events, which is what the writers of several recently-read books have managed.

[Nick Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the pieces of fiction which has made me laugh the most in recent memory - this had numerous moments where Bateman's descriptions and his characters' dialogues were wonderfully real and amusing. A very readable crime caper, with a bit extra (of the ilk of Christopher Brookmyre) which I enjoyed very much.

My only criticism would be that I expected something slightly different w.r.t. the balance between bloke-lit and crime novel.. this is not really the fault of the book, but because it was not quite what I anticipated, I hence enjoyed it a smidgin less than I might've done.

[Vi Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

When murder suspects lightly treated by the justice system start becoming murder victims themselves Martin Murphy, undercover cop, is sent in to investigate a self help/vigilante group whose members just happen to be relatives of the innocent murder victims. Gripping plot mixing a bit of gore with a lot of humour - sometimes at the same time this book lives up to all Bateman's previous novels. If you like crime/thriller stories and humour and you've not read Colin Bateman before I recommend you do so because you will be in for a treat!

[John Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

gritty, great storytelling. This is what I call a story with plenty of light and dark. It's a serious tale with moments of levity amid the grit and suspense. A sequel as good as its original because it doesn't try to rehash and cash in on what made the first one good,

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Detective Murphy as a character. I read Murphy's Law a while ago but am still not sure where this one fits in the series. Nevertheless lots of humour, flawed but loveable characters (and supporting characters), some murder and a few twists.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book, it has really funny pages and it is exciting with good twists in the plot. But the ending did not leave that big of an impression on me, sadly enough. Though it was a nice read. Especially for a first go for detective books, like it was for me.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty and fast-paced..really enjoyed this book.

[Rowan O'brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bad, but sometimes so bad it's hilarious. Thanks Mammy.