Needle Song

by Russell Day

Spending the night with a beautiful woman would be a good alibi, if the body in the next room wasn't her husband. Doc Slidesmith has a habit of knowing things he shouldn’t. He knows the woman Chris Rudjer meets online is married. He knows the adult fun she’s looking for is likely to be short lived. And when her husband’s killed, he knows Chris Rudjer didn’t do it. Only trouble is the police disagree and no one wants to waste time investigating an open and shut case.No one except Doc.Using lies, blackmail and a loaded pack of Tarot cards, Doc sets about looking for the truth - but the more truth he finds, the less he thinks his friend is going to like it.

369 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2018

Reviews

[Berit☀️✨]

4 Unconventional Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tattoos and voodoo and tarot cards... oh my! This was a crime thriller with a different vibe and I’d venture to guess you’ve never read anything quite like this before... and I mean that in the best possible way....Russell Day Took the traditional crime thriller and turned it on its head... creating an unconventional... unique... unputdownable story....

Told from the point of view of Yakky apprentice tattoo artist to Doc... the main character....Doc is an amateur detective who uses psychology, tarot cards, and instinct to solve crimes... he is also a huge fan of Miss Marple.... and there was a bit of an Agatha Christie vibe to the story with a huge twist....

The mystery in this book was well plotted and paced... but what captivated me most about this book was the characters... Doc and Yakky in particular... I found both of them extremely interesting and the Dynamics between the two of them even more interesting.... curious to see where the next book in this series takes us???

Absolutely recommend when you are in the mood for an unique crime thriller with some fabulous characters...

*** many thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book ***

[Dash fan]

4☆ A Gritty Unique Crime Fiction

Needle Song is a very different crime thriller.
At first I was a little confused as to who was who, but once I got used to the narrator style writing then I settled into the story really well.

I don't recall reading a crime thriller that contains Voodoo and tarot readings But it certainly added a unique fresh touch which i thoroughly enjoyed.

Chris is a rugged biker. He is having an affair with Jan. But when her husband is found dead, guess who is about to become a suspect!

That's where Doc and his tattoo apprentice comes in. Doc is a very unique character. He does tattoos, tarot readings, a doctor of psychology and has voodoo beliefs.
But he is determined to help Chris out of his sticky situation.

Needle Song is a well paced gritty crime fiction, with unique characters, mystery, a great intriguing plot, a lil humour and a fantastic cover. Lol I'm actually even more determined to get my first tattoo now!

I'm really looking forward to reading more from Russell Day. Definitely an Author to watch out for!

Thank you to Dampebbles.com for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My Review is also on my Blog Website:-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Kyra Leseberg (Roots & Reads)]

3.5 stars

Two or three years ago, I read a review of this book and it sounded unique for the crime fiction genre. I stumbled upon the ebook for a steal and finally read it this week.

Doc Slidesmith is a little voodoo and lot of jive rolled into a Psy.D. All of this is useful in Doc’s effort to clear his friend Chris Rudjer of a murder charge.
Chris has been in a wild fling with a married woman but the fun is short lived when her husband’s body is found and foul play is suspected. While Doc is certain Chris didn’t do it, the police see an open and shut case thanks to the extramarital affair.

Some clever thinking, a pack of Tarot cards, and help from his tattoo shop apprentice Yakky leads amateur detective and actual Doctor of Psychology Doc to the sordid truth.

Needle Song is a clever contemporary crime fiction novel told from Yakky’s POV as Doc investigates. Think of Doc and Yakky as an inked up modern day version of Sherlock and Watson. It’s a slow burn but managed to hold my interest with the unique dynamic between the two MCs as they set out to eliminate several people with motive and get to the truth.

For more reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com

[Bookread2day]

Great news for us crime readers Russell Day only writers crime fiction, that's as long as there will be people there will always be crime. Doc Slidesmith knows things that he shouldn't. He knows the woman Chris Rudjer meets online is married. He knows the adult fun she's looking for is likely to be short lived. And when her husband's killed, he knows Chris Rudjer didn't do it. How does he know everything? What I particularly like about this story is there was an amazing difference about an amateur detective, he employs a logic psychology and a pack of tarot cards to investigate a death.

[Michelle Ryles]

I'm not usually drawn first to a book by its cover but Needle Song has one of those covers that you can't take you eyes off. It strongly reminds me of Sons of Anarchy and apart from the lead guy having a motorbike, that's where the similarity ends. Needle Song is something else entirely with Doc reminding me of Sherlock Holmes; a modern day whodunnit with clues just waiting to be found.

The story is told from the point of view of Yakky (real name Andy, which he hates) who is an apprentice tattooist working with the very unconventional Doc Slidesmith, kind of like Anakin and Obi Wan. Doc isn't just a nickname, as he has a PhD in psychology so he knows how to read people which helps with his tarot card readings. When Chris Rudjer, one of Doc's customers, is arrested for murdering his girlfriend's husband, Doc is determined to prove that Chris is innocent. With Chris's girlfriend, Jan, turning to Doc and his tarot cards, this gives Doc the perfect opportunity to winkle out everything that Jan knows about the events surrounding her husband's death. I was so sure that she definitely knew more than she was letting on!

Although Doc is a great character with a lot of dry humour and Holmes-like deduction skills, I really liked Yakky. Yakky is an ex-nurse and doesn't have the happiest life now that he's living with his dad, who absolutely cracked me up at times. He is a master game-player and can play the sympathy and helpless card when he wants but I think he knows exactly what he's doing. Yakky's dad reminded me of my Grandad who had to turn the TV up to earsplitting levels but could hear the phone ringing before any of us.

With such colourful characters in play, you could be forgiven for forgetting that there's a crime to investigate and what a criminal masterpiece that is. Doc sniffs out the truth like a bloodhound and I really didn't know what was going to come next from page to page. Hopefully this won't be the last we hear about Doc and Yakky, this modern day Holmes and Watson.

Needle Song is as unconventional as it is brilliant, Russell Day has played an ace and said to the crime genre: I'll see you and I'll raise you. This is a riveting and completely astounding debut that I highly recommend.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Cheryl M-M]

This is the debut novel of crime writer Russell Day, and I suggest you make a point of remembering his name, because I have a feeling this is the start of something quite extraordinary. It features Doc Slidesmith, tattoo artist and tarot reading psychic, and Andy his sceptical sidekick. I mean, tarot reading and voodoo are just all cold reading, right?

This unusual amateur detective duo is born more out of necessity, curiosity and the bond of brotherhood between Doc, Andy and Chris. What’s interesting is that none of them make any irrational assumptions based on the fact Jan is beautiful, has issues with fidelity and appears to be quite manipulative.

She adapts to her environment and more importantly to the men in her vicinity. She gives them what they need in that moment of personal interaction. Jan is a little bit like a personality and emotional chameleon. She takes her cues from whomever she interacts with, and alters her interactions and appearance accordingly. In context that puts all of her actions and words under a cloud of suspicion, when her husband is found dead and Chris is arrested. Was it all a very elaborate plan from the very beginning?

It is well-written and plotted with a set of characters who sleuth with a lack of respect for the law and yet simultaneously uphold their own set of rules. The law of the road, the rules of the leather, and the inner complexity of the biker brotherhood. Day mixes this brusque modern vibe with a dark layer of mystique and curtailed power.

The Slidesmith series would make a fantastic premise for a TV show. Who wouldn’t be drawn in by the devil-may-care attitude of bikers solving crime with the help of voodoo, black magic, tarot cards and a degree in psychology?

I love it when a stunning debut comes along, the kind that indicates the beginning of a successful writing career. Russell Day thinks outside the box, whilst still employing the old hat tricks of crime to keep his readers immersed and willing to stay with his story until the last page.
*I received a copy courtesy of the publisher*

[LJ (ljwritesandreviews)]

When Chris Rudjer is accused of killing his girlfriend’s husband, nobody can see past the previous conviction for assault and his burly biker attitude, apart from Doc Slidesmith. He recruits his apprentice tattoo artist nicknamed Yakky, to help clear his name.

When I started reading this book, I have to be honest I didn’t know what to expect, what with all the tattoos on the cover and the title Needle Song, but I was pleasantly surprised. I felt that it pays tribute to the classic whodunnits and locked room mysteries. There was certainly a bit of Holmes and Watson vibe between Doc and Yakky.

Most of the book is told from the point of view of Yakky, a former nurse who’s now living at home with his attention seeking dad and a girlfriend who can’t decide whether they are together or not.
All that has lead to a few anger issues but I found he very likeable, as he has a bit of a protective soft side and knows how to handle Doc’s ‘Jive’ (Jive is when Yakky thinks Doc’s talking rubbish or showing off, at least that’s what I thought it meant).

Then we have Doc Slidesmith, who is actually a doctor of psychology but he turned his back on all that to run his own tattoo shop. He’s a bit mysterious, with his tarot card readings, voodoo beliefs and facial tattoos but he also had a bit of a Miss Marple fetish which I loved.

Now there’s some sexual references and a bit of swearing throughout the book which may put some readers off but I urge them to give it a go.

Needle Song is perfect for those who love a classic mystery but are looking for something more modern or edgy.

[Donna Maguire]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed this book, it had a few twists that made it different from the norm and those twists made it very enjoyable for me!

I will admit that until I took part in the cover reveal for this book earlier on this year I hadn't heard of this author - but I am so glad I did and I really feel I'd been missing out if I hadn't!

This book is well written, had well developed characters and a brilliant plot line. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have given it a solid four stars - highly recommended by me!

[Hobart]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

He'd changed again in some way. Like he had the night in The Jericho putting out The Jive. But this was different again. The Jive was showmanship. The good Doctor Slidesmith in full sail. This was more intense. I'd see him like thus on occasion in the shop, absorbed in the ink and the song of the needle. I wouldn't say lost in what he was doing. Lost implies lack of control.

For the first time that evening, it struck me he needed an audience, not to watch him but for him to watch. Like a dial on a machine, not part of the process, just a way of monitoring it.

Back when I posted about the short story featuring Doc Slidesmith, Not Talking Italics, I said that if Needle Song was anything like it, "I'm going to have to go down to the superlative store this weekend to stock up before I write anything about it." I'm fully stocked (now) and ready to go.

I was disappointed -- somewhat -- and relieved to see that the all-dialogue, no narration, no other description approach of Italics was nowhere to be seen. I could've read 380 pages of that (see my love for Roddy Doyle), but I know it's not that approachable and will turn off some readers.

Now, I don't know if anyone but Karen E. Olson has envisioned a tattoo shop as a hotbed of crime fighting -- or the staff of such to be the source people would turn to for help with legal difficulties. But it works -- all because of the owner of the shop, former psychologist, current Voodoo practitioner and Tarot reader, Doc Slidesmith. On the surface, you see a rough-looking -- striking, I think, bordering on handsome -- but your basic leather-glad biker type, covered in ink -- and will underestimate him. Only those who've been in conversations with him, those who've given him a chance will see the charm, the intelligence, and the indefinable characteristic that makes people come to him for help in times of trouble. In many hands, Doc's...peculiar resume, shall we say, would end up this cartoonish mish-mash of quirks. But Day is able to make it work -- there's a reason that Doc ended up where he is, we don't need to know it, but it makes him the man (and armchair detective) that we want to read about.

Andy Miller -- known to many as "Yakky" (he's not a chatty type, his tattoos are all placed so that he can hide them all with this clothing, like a member of the Yakkuza), is the tattoo apprentice to Doc Slidesmith. He lives with his father -- a thoroughly unpleasant and manipulative man, that Yakky feels obligated to care for. While clearly appreciative for Doc's tutelage, and more in awe of his mentor than he'd care to admit, he's also more than a little skeptical of Doc's interests, beliefs and practices that aren't related to his tattooing. He's our narrator. He's not your typical narrator -- he's too frequently angry at, dismissive of and unbelieving in the protagonist for that. Which is just one of the breaths of fresh air brought by this book. Yakky is singularly unimpressed by Doc's playing detective -- but in the end, is probably as invested (maybe more) in the outcome.

Jan is brought by Chris Rudjer (a long-time client and friend of Doc's) for a Tarot reading, which brings her some measure of comfort/reassurance. So that when, months later, her husband kills himself, she comes looking for another reading -- which turns into seeking help in general. Not just for her, but for Chris, with whom she'd been carrying on a not-very-secret affair for months. While it seemed obvious that her husband had taken his own life when she found his body, there were some irregularities at the scene. When the police add in the affair Jan was having with someone with a record for violent crime, they get suspicious. Slidesmith does what he can to help Chris prepare for the inevitable police involvement, and enlists Yakky to help, too.

Yakky takes Jan home to stay in his spare room. She can't stay at home -- the memories are too fresh, there are problems with her husband's family, and (she doesn't realize it yet) there are people following her and Doc and Yakky are worried. The dynamic between Jan and Yakky, and between Jan and Yakky's father, end up providing vital clues to her character and psychology. This will end up proving vital to their case.

As Doc and Yakky begin digging around in Jan's life, it's immediately obvious that very little is as it seems. Now, if you're used to reading Crime Fiction featuring serial killers or organized crime, you'll think a lot of what they uncover is pretty small potatoes. But it actually seems worse -- it's more immediate, more personal -- serial killers have their various pathologies, mobster's are after profits and power -- these people are just about hate, cruelty and control. Maybe it's just me, but it seems worse in comparison.

There's a depth to all of these characters that I could spend a lot of time thinking/writing/reading about -- for example, our narrator, Yakky. I have at least a dozen questions that I feel I need answers to about him. At the same time, I think at least eleven of those answers could ruin the character for me. Ditto for Doc, Gina (another artist in the shop), or Chris. It's a pretty neat trick -- one few authors have been able to pull off, creating a character that you can tell has a compelling backstory, but that you don't really want to know it (see Parker's Hawk or Crais' Pike -- or the other mercenary Crais has had to create now that we know too much about Pike). I know who these people are now, and look forward to seeing what happens with them -- and that's good enough. It's hard to tell, always, just why Doc's working on this -- is it for fun, is it out of a sense of obligation to Chris, does he feel bad for Jan, is it some of all three? Yakky will frequently talk about The Jive -- the showmanship that Doc brings to Tarot readings, conversations, and dealing with difficult witnesses -- it reminds me frequently of B. A. Baracus' complaining about Hannibal's "being on The Jazz."

The plot is as intricate as you want -- there are twists, turns, ups, downs -- both with the investigation and in the lives of those touched by it. This doesn't have the flair of Not Talking Italics, but the voice is as strong, and everything else about the writing is better. It's a cliché to say that Day paints a picture with his words, so I won't say that. But he does etch indelible patterns with the tattoo-gun of his words -- which isn't a painless process for all involved, but the end result is worth whatever discomfort endured. Day doesn't write like a rookie -- this could easily be the third or fourth novel of an established author instead of someone's talented debut.

I'm torn on what I think about the details of the ending, wavering between "good" and "good enough, but could have been better." It's not as strong as the 94% (or so) before it, but it's probably close enough that I shouldn't be quibbling over details. I'm not talking about the way that Doc elicits the answers he needs to fully explain what happened to Jan's husband (both for her closure and Chris' safety), nor the way that everything fits together just perfectly. I just think the execution could be slightly stronger.

Whether you think of this as an amateur sleuth novel, a look into the depravity of the suburbanite, or an elaborate Miss Marple tribute/pastiche, the one thing you have to see is that this is a wonderful novel. I'm underselling it here, I know, this is one of those books that you best understand why everyone is so positive about it by reading it. You've got to expose yourself to Doc, Yakky and Day's prose to really get it. One of the best books I've read this year. My only complaint with this book? After reading so much about the "song of the needle," the shop, the work being done there -- I'm feeling the pressure to get another tattoo myself, and soon.

[Ross Cumming]

It was the last day of my holiday and I fancied something different to read after a fortnight of hard boiled noir and so I picked Russell Day's 'Needle Song' from my Kindle library, based purely on the title and the cover. I had absolutely no idea what the book was about or where even it was set but after a few initial doubts it turned out to be a very good choice.
Doc Slidesmith is a biker, tattoo artist, doctor of psychology, tarot card reader, practising voodooist, tequila drinker and fan of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. He works at a North London tattoo parlour with fellow biker, apprentice and failed male nurse Yakky and Doc's ex-missus Gina. Their friend Chris is conducting an affair with a married woman, Jan, who he met through a dating website and when her husband turns up dead of an apparent suicide, its not long till the police suspect Chris of foul play. Doc, ably assisted by Yakky decide that their friend is innocent and set out to reveal the truth.
This is certainly an unusual thriller but also it's very traditional at the same time. If anything, Doc and Yakky remind me of a modern day Holmes and Watson, with Doc as Sherlock and Yakky very much in the Dr Watson role. The story is narrated by Yakky and he is often used by Doc to carry out tasks and gain information without knowing why he's doing it until Doc reveals his reasoning. Doc plays everything very close to his chest and only reveals what he's discovered when the time is right. There is also a bit of an Inspector Lestrade character too, in the form of W.P.C. Joan Rix who although she is very much on the Police side also has a bit of an open mind towards the Doc and Yakky. There are plenty of potential suspects and in true Agatha Christie style all the players are gathered in the 'drawing room' for the conclusion when Doc reveals all.
Another Doc Slidesmith adventure is in the pipeline and I certainly look forward to reading it.

[Karen Cole]

Chris Rudjer may well be the archetypal man in the wrong place and the wrong time when Peter Keller dies and he is in the guest bedroom with Keller's wife, Jan at the time - so it's hardly surprising when police are suspicions that the death wasn't the suicide it was made to look like. With a police record and a tattoo reading ACAB (all coppers are bastards) across his throat, Rudjer is a convenient suspect and with the police convinced of his guilt he's going to have to rely on somebody else to help.
Step up Doc Slidesmith, former psychologist turned tattooist, and his apprentice, Yakky. The story is told through Yakky's perspective and he has a significant role to play in the story but the lead character is undoubtedly Doc. Enigmatic, infuriating and loyal, Doc has an innate ability to read people. He practises Voodoo and consults the Tarot cards but whether his insights come from his spiritual beliefs or from his natural perceptiveness combined with his tendency to use his patter - The Jive - to wheedle out the truth, he's a fascinating man and a refreshingly original protagonist. There's an intriguing theme that runs through the book as to the different personas people adopt in various situations, either knowingly or subconsciously, something Doc is particularly aware of and is able to use to his advantage at times. Even Doc can't always work Yakky out however; he is a very likeable character but has a tendency to keep things close to his chest, and even though as the narrator, the reader discovers more about him through his inner dialogue than the other characters do, I still felt we haven't quite learned all we can about him. I hope to find out more about him - and his toxic yet often very funny relationship with his awful father - in subsequent novels.
Though Doc is a tattooed biker, he also has a fascination with Agatha Christie's Miss Marple stories, telling Yakky that he yields to no man in his admiration of her. For all its gritty realism, Needle Song is actually a mystery Agatha Christie would be proud of. There's a cast of characters who could all have been the killer, each with their own dark little secrets. I really couldn't decide who I thought was guilty; as Doc and Yakky delve into their sordid pasts it seemed that each of them was untrustworthy and could potentially be the guilty party. The book twists and turns, throwing out little clues and red herrings along the way, with Doc's clever manipulation of the suspects and his little insights making him a worthy successor to his favourite fictional detective, or with his idiosyncrasies perhaps even more so to that other great Christie creation, Hercule Poirot. The final reveal as to what really happened that night is brilliantly contrived with the suspects grouped together as Doc plays to the audience as he solves the mystery at last.
I loved Needle Song; it's contemporary, edgy and witty urban noir meets traditional style murder mystery making for an original and thoroughly entertaining read from start to finish. I was thrilled to learn Doc Slidesmith will return in Ink to Ashes and can't wait to read it. In the meantime, I highly recommend Russell Day's debut novel.

[Nicola]

Needle Song is Mr Day's first novel, & I was easily drawn to it after previously reading a couple of his short stories.

Why? That's very simple—because his work is brilliant. After reading the short stories, I realised he was good at dropping bombs in his stories, and learned that I had to pay attention. I can't read his stuff as a way to relax—instead, I've found that I need to be on full alert to get the most out of his work. Not because his writing is difficult to follow (it's not, it's very readable), but because I've found that he writes with a purpose. Even his chapter titles are very carefully put together. You know how you can be reading some great books, and there'll be a lot of describing the people and the places with random stuff that it's ok if you forget (it's enjoyable, & it all sets the scene, but doesn't necessarily help you figure anything out)? Yeah, don't do that with Needle Song.

I'm not one to give unsolicited advice, but I'm breaking my rule right now as a public service to you—pay attention when you read anything by Mr Day. He's definitely an artist—one who paints a picture with his words. And I've found that much of what he paints in the picture is part of the plot that gets you to the endpoint—it’s not just a bunch of filler (no matter how enjoyable). Pay attention throughout, because he throws out breadcrumbs in his stories, Hansel & Gretel style. In Needle Song, I found myself wandering back through the chapters on many occasions, just to try and find what I thought might be crumbs. I'm sure I actually read the book at least 6 times!

The book's 2 unlikely heroes are Doc Slidesmith & his trusty sidekick, Yakky. You'll find them to be a very likeable dynamic duo, though, and you'll probably identify some of their characteristics in either yourself or someone you've known at some point.

In addition to being an artist, I think Mr Day is also a master of people. His writing shows a great knowledge of the human mind (good and bad), and this translates into some brilliant characters & sub-plots. I've also found that he’s a master of the twist ending. Seriously—that’s been a consistent theme in the things I’ve read from him. Expect a BOOM at the end.

And expect lots of dry wit. One of my favourite lines was, "As she went, she gave Keller the smile cats gives mice." But my absolute favourite is the very last one of the book. But I'll leave that one up to you to find.

Go visit the Fahrenheit Press website for the very best prices on any of their books. But wherever you eventually choose to buy Needle Song from, I hope you enjoy this great read from one of your new favourite authors. And be sure to give him a follow on Twitter, especially for the amazing crows and kittens.

[Kate A]

By the time I got round to reading the book, I had kind of forgotten what it was about but what I got was something totally unexpected.

I feel like somehow if you told me all the separate component parts of this story I would be a little unsure how well it would go together but it is sheer brilliance. A crime book unlike anything I have read before, Needle Song isn’t a fast action type with lots of ever-changing suspects, it is instead a smooth slow burn kind of book that manages to lure you into its clutches without even having to try.

A bit like it’s main character Doctor Slidesmith, I could read about him all day. I loved that he was the type of character that people would underestimate but that he was actually a multi-faceted person and much more than he appeared. I really enjoyed the Voodoo influence I didn’t really know much about it before but it was interesting and I liked how it played into the story.

Yakky his tattoo apprentice turned partner and the narrator of the story is another brilliant character, not very swayed by Doc’s beliefs but willing to play his part to help out a friend. He is still somewhat enigmatic even though you are hearing the story from him which I like, definitely made me more curious about him. I like that he was almost the voice of reason but then was also occasionally the wild card.

The plot was very clever, it doesn’t rely on shocking reveals but instead focuses more on the human element and builds up the tension through manipulation and misdirection. I mean I did wonder at one point if it was even possible to conclude the story in a way that would leave me satisfied but I needn’t have worried.

This is an amazing debut, I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for Doc Slidesmith but will be keeping an eye out for any Russell Day books from now on.

Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere

[Rachel (Rae)]

I really enjoyed this unusual and pretty addictive book along with an intriguing set of characters that will easily pull you into the story. The tarot reading was an interesting part of the story and I loved how it was explored as Doc sets out to solve the crime. Even though quite a large portion of the story is told from Yakky's perspective you really get a feel for Doc's character. Especially his determination when trying to discover all the little secrets that the people close to the victim may be hiding.

Needle Song is essentially a mystery, one that is well written and if you are anything like me it will keep you turning those pages until it is solved. The pace is punchy and moves quickly with an enigmatic character in Doc leading his own investigation. To create a good balance you also have Yakky's character where the reader gets to hear his inner thoughts along with seeing the various situations play out. The whole story builds up the tension until the finale where we get the group of suspects together to finally discover the truth. This was a brilliant nod to the more old fashioned style mysteries and I'm sure that most people will love and appreciate this style of reveal.

I'm already looking forward to the next book!

Four stars from me!

With thanks to Emma and Fahrenheit Press for my copy.

[Pam Robertson]

This is a crime novel with a distinctive tone. It feels relevant and up to date, partly because of the central figure of Doc Slidesmith who is not your everyday crime investigator. With a background in psychology, a tattoo shop and a pack of tarot cards, you come to see that his approach is going to catch people off balance. I particularly enjoyed it when he mapped out his thoughts and observations and talked his assistant, Yakky through them. You can see his line of logic and it is a reference back to the crime genre. He even has what he terms an 'Agatha Christie fetish' - wanting to know 'Why?' something happened as the key into solving a case.

Told from Yakky's perspective, you get to observe Doc Slidesmith in action and to listen in as they talk through the evidence and tease out the clues. Yakky is more interested in the 'How?' rather than the 'Why?' but is a good foil. There are several classic crime memes within the story, echoing Agatha Christie herself, none more so than the exposition towards the end. It is an interestingly put together story and well worth a read.

In short: Crime with an edge.

Thanks to the author for a copy of the book.

[Ian Ayris]

There are many tropes in detective fiction - the character playing the role of detective being a Voodoo practicing, Miss Marple adoring, tattoo artist biker not being one. Such is Doc Slidesmith. And Doc has a crime to solve. His friend - Big Chris - is in a heap of trouble. A man is dead - the man being the husband of the femme fatale Chris has been ministering to. Chris can be placed at the scene, has previous, has a motive and is refusing to help the police with their enquiries. Doc - with the aid of tattoo apprentice, Yakky - the narrator of the book - are his only hope.

Like a modern day back alley Holmes and Watson, Doc and Yakky tease apart the final days of the murder victim, and the psyche of everyone that might have been involved. The plot unfolds beautifully, to the point even with thirty pages to go I had no idea where things were heading. The unveiling of the solution to the mystery, with a knowing nod and wink to Agatha Christie and Scooby Doo, is brilliantly written.

The strength of the prose - not a weak verb or extraneous word to be found - the strength of the characters, the plot, the dialogue, the all of it makes for an incredibly robust novel. One might even go so far as mistakenly thinking it a masculine novel. But you'd be wrong. Sure, the novel drips with engine oil and male bonding - but what makes Needle Song such a great read is the way Day opens up the vulnerability of each male protagonist in their relationship with the women in the lives. Needle Song is a novel of emotional depth as well as a brilliant whodunnit.

[Todd Morr]

Doc and Yakky make a unique mystery solving team. Doc, the voodoo loving tattoo artist and biker who actually is a doctor and aspiring tattoo artist Yakky find themselves trying to solve a locked room type mystery to help a friend (who doesn't have anyone else to turn to) out of a murder rap. Pretty much a straight whodunit given a little extra flavor with the bikes and tattoos. It's more Agatha Christie than Sons of Anarchy but as mysteries go, it's a good one with plenty of twists, clever plotting and a cast of well rendered and interesting characters.

[Emma]

Needle Song is something quite special.  What you see isn't quite what you get but it's done in such a glorious way that it really doesn't matter.  What struck me the most about this book is the quality of the characters.  Now I'm a reader who loves a story that centres around its characters, so Needle Song was a real pleasure for me to read.  I also like those characters to be different, a little odd maybe and with appealing quirks.  Once again, Needle Song ticks all the boxes.

When Chris Rudjer is arrested for the murder of his new girlfriend's husband, tattoo shop owner and psychology graduate Doc Slidesmith and his somewhat unenthusiastic sidekick, Yakky, leap to his aide.  Armed with a love of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and a loaded deck of tarot cards, Doc and Yakky poke where the police fear to tread - all in the name of saving their mate from a life in prison.  After all, Chris looks the most likely suspect in the murder.  But Doc knows better.  Doc knows that man mountain Chris would never hurt a fly (unless provoked!) and it's down to him (and the slightly dubious Yakky) to prove it!

I loved Doc Slidemsith, but Yakky stole my heart.  The story is told from his perspective so the reader gets to see and feel what he's experiencing.  The moments when Doc suddenly pronounced his latest theory and Yakky's obvious underwhelmed reaction to the reveal was just wonderful.  Very reminiscent in a lot of ways to one of my favourite movies 'Without a Clue'.  Just brilliant!

I was compelled to keep turning the pages and was engrossed in the investigation from start to finish.  I admit that I was a little disappointed with the 'whodunit' but I was delighted that Doc was able to uncover the mystery in such a dramatic and flamboyant style.  Miss Marple would have been proud of him!

Would I recommend this book?  I would.  I don't want to say this book is delightful as that makes it sound twee (it's not twee; voodoo, tattoos, bikers, blood spill, murder, suicide and shotguns under the floorboards...) but that's the first word I think of when I think of Needle Song.  It was a joy to read, a delight!  It breaks down genre barriers with the wonderful Christie-esque mystery but the modern day, darker setting makes it so different to everything else.  Needle Song blurs the lines and I really enjoyed it.

Four out of five stars.

I chose to read and review a copy of Needle Song.  The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Melisa Broadbent]

Russell Day is a new name in the crime fiction world but hopefully one that people will come to learn more about. Needle Song is his first novel and what a great one it is! We are introduced to a completely new and refreshing world with colourful characters (throughout this book, I had images of what I imagined the characters to be should this be made into a film. For Chris Rudjer, I imagined Dave Bautista and for some reason, Lemmy as Doc Slidesmith!).

This was a completely new type of crime book for me, the main character uses tarot cards but mainly his wits and logic as he tries to uncover the truth (maybe not using the most legal way to go about things) and what really happened the night of the murder and to try and save his friend from a long stretch in prison.

Doc is completely refreshing change to me. He always seems to be one step ahead and although he likes to try and fool you into thinking he has a sixth sense, he is actually also incredibly astute and reads situations very well. He sort of reminded me of Columbo (who I have also found very underated!), in that people form opinions of him based on what he looks like and therefore underestimate him. In Doc's case, not a raincoat and bumbling appearance but in the forms of some fairly heavy duty facial tattoo's!

The world of tarot cards was incredibly interesting and not something I know too much about but I really liked how interpretations of people's actions are explained and brought into the story.

I'm really hoping that this is the start of a new series as I think there is so much more that can be discovered about Doc and his motley crew of friends and I'm really looking forward to learning more!

A great debut and highly recommended from me.