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Death of a Painter
In the building game time is money and money is everything. Unfortunately for Mark Poynter, he's run out of money and he's fast running out of time.
When Mark Poynter discovers a murder on his worksite, all of his financial problems suddenly seem a lot closer to home: was this a warning his debts are overdue?
Suspected of being the killer, but more worried about being the intended victim, the murder only makes Mark's money problems worse, leading him to turn to the local villain, Hamlet, who has his own unique repayment plan in mind for Mark.
When two more deaths plunge him even further into debt, Mark finds himself faced with a choice - help the Police and clear his name or help the villain and clear his debt.
Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they will go to just to earn a living, because in the cash-in-hand shadows of the economy there's no job too big, no dodge too small.
When Mark Poynter discovers a murder on his worksite, all of his financial problems suddenly seem a lot closer to home: was this a warning his debts are overdue?
Suspected of being the killer, but more worried about being the intended victim, the murder only makes Mark's money problems worse, leading him to turn to the local villain, Hamlet, who has his own unique repayment plan in mind for Mark.
When two more deaths plunge him even further into debt, Mark finds himself faced with a choice - help the Police and clear his name or help the villain and clear his debt.
Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they will go to just to earn a living, because in the cash-in-hand shadows of the economy there's no job too big, no dodge too small.
- GenresBook Club
346 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2020
3 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Ross
1 book7 followersEnglish author.
Death of a Painter
was his debut novel.
Librarian note: There are more authors with this name in this data base.
Librarian note: There are more authors with this name in this data base.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 7, 2020
Well this was a breath of fresh air, I usually have an uncanny ability to figure out the murderer right near the beginning of the book, in this case I had my man before I even started, my confidence was high when my culprit was actually a character in the book but alas it wasn't to be. In fact this book had me still unsure right up to the last 20 pages, it is good to be beaten by a book.
I do enjoy a good crime story, I tend to restrict how many I read though to stop them blurring into one story, when I saw this one on twitter the bright bold cover caught my attention, the small comic strip style images tell you exactly the type of book you are getting and I loved that. Most of the whodunnit books I've read had have the killer and the cop/detective relationship, Matthew Ross though has an electrician as the main man trying to figure out who the killer was, whilst being prime suspect No.1 himself.
Marky Mark is the electrician and he has himself surrounded by some brilliant characters, the loveable alcoholic Disco was easily my favourite, Perry was a very supportive character and plays well off Mark, an almost stabilizing influence stopping the story getting out of control. Hamlet the gangster and his two cronies had just the right amount of sinister in them. The one weakness though was Senia the detective working on the case, it would have been good to see a bit more of him, Mark's treatment of him was very funny, which is probably why I craved more.
The plot is nice and tidy, tough to figure out but all loose ends worked out at the end. Mark also has a really good sense of humour, at times the book felt like you were at the pub with Mark as he tells you this story, the more beers you have the more laughs in the story. There were a few very funny lines that did make me laugh out loud, luckily nobody noticed so embarrassment wasn't an issue.
This is a quick read, with a great cast of characters and I was pleased to see this is the first in a series so I'm looking forward to somebody getting brutally murdered just so I can get to read about Mark, Perry and Disco again.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2020...
I do enjoy a good crime story, I tend to restrict how many I read though to stop them blurring into one story, when I saw this one on twitter the bright bold cover caught my attention, the small comic strip style images tell you exactly the type of book you are getting and I loved that. Most of the whodunnit books I've read had have the killer and the cop/detective relationship, Matthew Ross though has an electrician as the main man trying to figure out who the killer was, whilst being prime suspect No.1 himself.
Marky Mark is the electrician and he has himself surrounded by some brilliant characters, the loveable alcoholic Disco was easily my favourite, Perry was a very supportive character and plays well off Mark, an almost stabilizing influence stopping the story getting out of control. Hamlet the gangster and his two cronies had just the right amount of sinister in them. The one weakness though was Senia the detective working on the case, it would have been good to see a bit more of him, Mark's treatment of him was very funny, which is probably why I craved more.
The plot is nice and tidy, tough to figure out but all loose ends worked out at the end. Mark also has a really good sense of humour, at times the book felt like you were at the pub with Mark as he tells you this story, the more beers you have the more laughs in the story. There were a few very funny lines that did make me laugh out loud, luckily nobody noticed so embarrassment wasn't an issue.
This is a quick read, with a great cast of characters and I was pleased to see this is the first in a series so I'm looking forward to somebody getting brutally murdered just so I can get to read about Mark, Perry and Disco again.
Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2020...
July 13, 2021
Firstly take a look at this amazing cover. This has to be my favourite Red dog cover to date. Its stunning and reminds me of my favorite pen from when i was younger. Yes i am a stationary geek.
I loved this story and the main charcter – it was kind of like a Mark Poynter biography and i grew a big connection to him. As the story progressed i willed him to find out what i needed to find out so he was safe.
This is one guy who went through a hell of a lot, and he didnt deserve it at all. He is a good lad and just wants to live and work and get on with his life peacefully – but everyone else has differnt plans for him and he doesnt see a way out, or there isnt one.
This was an excellent progressive story that started off slow and continued to build throughout the pages.
I loved this story and the main charcter – it was kind of like a Mark Poynter biography and i grew a big connection to him. As the story progressed i willed him to find out what i needed to find out so he was safe.
This is one guy who went through a hell of a lot, and he didnt deserve it at all. He is a good lad and just wants to live and work and get on with his life peacefully – but everyone else has differnt plans for him and he doesnt see a way out, or there isnt one.
This was an excellent progressive story that started off slow and continued to build throughout the pages.
May 6, 2020
No job is safe, quiet, and above board. This is one of the lessons learned during my reading of Death of a Painter. The title mislead me. I first thought a renowned painter (of canvas, not walls!) would be found dead and that detectives would put their greasy fingers everywhere to find the meaning and motives behind the tragedy. Then I read the blurb and decided that what Matthew Ross had in mind was much more exciting. Hence my first line. You think painting walls and doing lovely jobs to change colors in people’s home would be easy and worry-free, right? Hahahahahaha!
Although not naïve, our main protagonist, Mark, discovers that there is more to the man who was found dead than meets the tip of the brush! Indeed, Dead Tommy was doing some work for Mark, and this sudden… deadly bump hits too close to home for Mark. Indeed, our handyman is running out of cash, sharks are waiting to eat his head if he doesn’t pay back, he must chase his clients like goldfish run after that tiny food we give them to get his money. In a nutshell, he is swimming in a dangerous pool. Is that pool so muddy that someone would actually try to kill him (and get the wrong man, duh!) to give him a lesson?
Don’t judge Mark too quickly. He is a down-to-earth, fascinating, and resourceful character. His heart is at the right place, even when he himself is not! When he decided to take matters into his hand about his friend Tommy’s death, willing to ensure the deceased’s family gets what they need, I felt my heart swell and I knew I’d been won over.
Quick to think doesn’t mean clever to think, so Mark ends up knocking on the town’s bad guy’s door for financial help. Nothing comes free with those guys, and as much as I wanted to take Mark by the hand and take him far away, I had to admit his reasons were good and … well, when the angels stop answering, go check the devil’s lair.
I’ve talked a lot about money so far. We know it is the heart of the matter. All the time. That, and passion. And greediness. And… Okay you get the drill. But don’t you go thinking Death of a Painter is a Cluedo in which the end doesn’t reveal who killed who but who’s got the key to the bank. Matthew Ross has created a fantastic portrait of fuller-than-life protagonists for whom it is easy to fall. They all have their flaws – Mark and his (bad) luck, Uncle Bern… just being himself, Disco and his drinking. But what is fantastic in this novel is the opportunity to look beyond those people’s faces. The novel then turns into a poignant storm of lives colliding, life messing around, and fate being a pain. From laughter to tears, you get swept away by an engaging race against time and baddies with a man who has no idea what he is doing and puts himself at the center of a much bigger picture than he ever imagined!
The plot is winding, filled with holes, and totally crazy. I jumped on hints, got lost a hundred times, tried to solve the puzzle with Mark only to discover we are not handled all the pieces! That is both mean and genius. It kept the tension building until a finale that took me by surprise. But to be honest, many elements in this book are a total surprise.
I see Death of a Painter described as darkly comic, and I racked my brain but I can’t think of a better way to describe it. I chuckled, I felt the words tug at my heartstrings, I rolled my eyes, wondering how deep the hole in which Mark had found himself was. Death of a Painter is intelligent, funny when it should be, hilarious when it shouldn’t be, exquisitely easy to read, and it delivers on its promise of a wonderful read.
Although not naïve, our main protagonist, Mark, discovers that there is more to the man who was found dead than meets the tip of the brush! Indeed, Dead Tommy was doing some work for Mark, and this sudden… deadly bump hits too close to home for Mark. Indeed, our handyman is running out of cash, sharks are waiting to eat his head if he doesn’t pay back, he must chase his clients like goldfish run after that tiny food we give them to get his money. In a nutshell, he is swimming in a dangerous pool. Is that pool so muddy that someone would actually try to kill him (and get the wrong man, duh!) to give him a lesson?
Don’t judge Mark too quickly. He is a down-to-earth, fascinating, and resourceful character. His heart is at the right place, even when he himself is not! When he decided to take matters into his hand about his friend Tommy’s death, willing to ensure the deceased’s family gets what they need, I felt my heart swell and I knew I’d been won over.
Quick to think doesn’t mean clever to think, so Mark ends up knocking on the town’s bad guy’s door for financial help. Nothing comes free with those guys, and as much as I wanted to take Mark by the hand and take him far away, I had to admit his reasons were good and … well, when the angels stop answering, go check the devil’s lair.
I’ve talked a lot about money so far. We know it is the heart of the matter. All the time. That, and passion. And greediness. And… Okay you get the drill. But don’t you go thinking Death of a Painter is a Cluedo in which the end doesn’t reveal who killed who but who’s got the key to the bank. Matthew Ross has created a fantastic portrait of fuller-than-life protagonists for whom it is easy to fall. They all have their flaws – Mark and his (bad) luck, Uncle Bern… just being himself, Disco and his drinking. But what is fantastic in this novel is the opportunity to look beyond those people’s faces. The novel then turns into a poignant storm of lives colliding, life messing around, and fate being a pain. From laughter to tears, you get swept away by an engaging race against time and baddies with a man who has no idea what he is doing and puts himself at the center of a much bigger picture than he ever imagined!
The plot is winding, filled with holes, and totally crazy. I jumped on hints, got lost a hundred times, tried to solve the puzzle with Mark only to discover we are not handled all the pieces! That is both mean and genius. It kept the tension building until a finale that took me by surprise. But to be honest, many elements in this book are a total surprise.
I see Death of a Painter described as darkly comic, and I racked my brain but I can’t think of a better way to describe it. I chuckled, I felt the words tug at my heartstrings, I rolled my eyes, wondering how deep the hole in which Mark had found himself was. Death of a Painter is intelligent, funny when it should be, hilarious when it shouldn’t be, exquisitely easy to read, and it delivers on its promise of a wonderful read.
April 29, 2020
1.5 STARS
Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they go to just to earn a living.
.
.
.
Okay... so I really enjoyed the first 1/4 of this book and got quite the kick out of all the small business/construction jargon included. Coming from a family that works in construction, I figured this would be a sure fire win for me. Alas, it was not to be. I found the story started to drag after a while and I really struggled to connect with Mark and keep all the secondary characters straight. That being said, this book was well written and would be the perfect read for someone looking to "cozy up" with a good British mystery. It just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC. This book is out now!
Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they go to just to earn a living.
.
.
.
Okay... so I really enjoyed the first 1/4 of this book and got quite the kick out of all the small business/construction jargon included. Coming from a family that works in construction, I figured this would be a sure fire win for me. Alas, it was not to be. I found the story started to drag after a while and I really struggled to connect with Mark and keep all the secondary characters straight. That being said, this book was well written and would be the perfect read for someone looking to "cozy up" with a good British mystery. It just wasn't for me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC. This book is out now!
June 1, 2020
I don't think I have ever read a book that is set in the building trade and with this very unusual setting, Matthew Ross has written a cracking debut novel. Death of a Painter is full of colourful characters and hilarious banter that meant my interest was held in a vice-like grip throughout. The story is actually quite like a game of Cluedo and we must find out who killed the painter in the kitchen with the hammer.
Mark Poyner is the brilliant main character; always busy with jobs but struggling to make ends meet as he constantly robs Peter to pay Paul. His money troubles continue when one of his team is murdered on the job, therefore delaying payment for the work and landing him in a whole heap of trouble with his creditors. There are so many people after his blood that Mark even wonders if there has been a case of mistaken identity and he may have been the intended victim. When Mark becomes the prime suspect in the murder he starts his own investigation to try to clear his name but unearths a lot more than he bargained for.
Being very character driven, Death of a Painter would make a fantastic sitcom as there are some fantastic characters and I can totally see Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer in starring roles. We have only just scratched the surface of Mark in this first book and I can already see that there is a lot more of him to discover. I loved the nicknames that people had and there are characters named Disco, Hamlet and even The Two Ronnies. Although not always laugh out loud funny, the humour is quite dark and subtle so I'll probably spot a lot more when I read the book again.
Death of a Painter is a cracking debut from Matthew Ross; it's pacey, intriguing and hugely entertaining. I'm a little torn with the rating as it's not quite a 5 star read but it's worth more than 4 stars so I'm giving it an extra half a star to make it a sparkly 4.5. I'm going to add it to my read again list so that's definitely a recommendation from me!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Mark Poyner is the brilliant main character; always busy with jobs but struggling to make ends meet as he constantly robs Peter to pay Paul. His money troubles continue when one of his team is murdered on the job, therefore delaying payment for the work and landing him in a whole heap of trouble with his creditors. There are so many people after his blood that Mark even wonders if there has been a case of mistaken identity and he may have been the intended victim. When Mark becomes the prime suspect in the murder he starts his own investigation to try to clear his name but unearths a lot more than he bargained for.
Being very character driven, Death of a Painter would make a fantastic sitcom as there are some fantastic characters and I can totally see Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer in starring roles. We have only just scratched the surface of Mark in this first book and I can already see that there is a lot more of him to discover. I loved the nicknames that people had and there are characters named Disco, Hamlet and even The Two Ronnies. Although not always laugh out loud funny, the humour is quite dark and subtle so I'll probably spot a lot more when I read the book again.
Death of a Painter is a cracking debut from Matthew Ross; it's pacey, intriguing and hugely entertaining. I'm a little torn with the rating as it's not quite a 5 star read but it's worth more than 4 stars so I'm giving it an extra half a star to make it a sparkly 4.5. I'm going to add it to my read again list so that's definitely a recommendation from me!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
May 2, 2020
Death Of A Painter is #1 in the new Mark Poynter series.
Mark owes money, but as Chapman has robbed him and disappeared, he is unable to pay. He’s listing all his possessions to try to raise the money but falls far short.
When his friend and colleague, Tommy, is murdered, Mark wonders if this was a message to him or maybe it was meant to have been him instead.
As Tommy was killed with one of Mark’s hammers the police think him a suspect.
With his money troubles, a local villain who wants Mark’s ‘help’, his life gets difficult to say the least, but can Mark find the killer ?
This is such a fun read, full of humour and banter between the characters, it also deals with loss and a murder mystery. Poynter is a complex, troubled but likeable character who really just wants to do the right thing while dealing with everything life throws at him. I found this a thoroughly entertaining read and I’m already looking forward to book 2.
Thank you to Red Dog Press for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and a ARC of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
Mark owes money, but as Chapman has robbed him and disappeared, he is unable to pay. He’s listing all his possessions to try to raise the money but falls far short.
When his friend and colleague, Tommy, is murdered, Mark wonders if this was a message to him or maybe it was meant to have been him instead.
As Tommy was killed with one of Mark’s hammers the police think him a suspect.
With his money troubles, a local villain who wants Mark’s ‘help’, his life gets difficult to say the least, but can Mark find the killer ?
This is such a fun read, full of humour and banter between the characters, it also deals with loss and a murder mystery. Poynter is a complex, troubled but likeable character who really just wants to do the right thing while dealing with everything life throws at him. I found this a thoroughly entertaining read and I’m already looking forward to book 2.
Thank you to Red Dog Press for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour, for the promotional material and a ARC of the book. This is my honest and unbiased review.
November 14, 2020
Part Poirot and part Mortdecai, this book is the first in a new crime series and promises to deliver readers years of future fun and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed Poynter and his crew of rascals, criminals, and rejects.
May 1, 2020
Medway town electrician Mark Poynter is not having a fun time. He has just discovered that his friend, and sometime employee, Tommy the painter, has been murdered whilst on a job painting a kitchen.
Not only has Mark lost a friend, but said kitchen is now a crime scene and off limits, with no chance of the job being completed and paid for - not good since Mark was relying on that money to help get him out of a financial hole.
Who would want to kill Tommy? Was this a warning that Mark's debts are well and truly overdue?
With the police breathing down Mark's neck and trying to put him in the frame for Tommy's death, he has no choice but to turn to the local mobster, Hamlet, for a bit of financial assistance...and, in return, Hamlet has a few shady jobs for Mark that he cannot now refuse.
The plot thickens as Mark tries to find out what Tommy was up to when he was not working for him, and as two more bodies turn up, both also linked to Mark, it seems his options are slim - either help the police to clear his name or go along with Hamlet's schemes and pay off his mounting debts.
Stuck between rock and more than one hard case, Mark really needs to get up to speed fast, before time runs out.
****************************************************************
Death of a Painter is the first book in a new series about the hard-pressed electrician Marky Mark Poynter and the vaguaries of the building game, set in and around the Medway Towns - and its a corker (or should it be caulker?).
Imagine, if you will, a sort of Brushstrokes set-up (if you are old enough to remember the 80s TV show), with added menace. There is a wonderful cast of characters from Mark down, both friends and enemies, who it is so easy to picture. Everyone has a nickname, and an angle (angle grinder?) and Mark has to negotiate the close-knit network of fellow builders - slackers, idlers and gossips - to try to get himself out of the pickle he finds himself in. Real danger abounds and he needs to move fast to save himself, whilst avoiding those less than friendly members of the community he owes money to.
We soon come to learn that Mark, while a bit of a wheeler and dealer, is a thoroughly decent sort and it is only desperation that leads him to the door of Hamlet - someone he is under no illusions about due to past dealings, and is reluctant to be in the debt of. It is going to take all of Mark's wits to get out of this sticky situation - wits he seems in real danger of losing, judging by the number of beatings he seems to be habitually in line for.
I particularly enjoyed Mark's little gang of side-kicks, who at first sight (site?...Ok, I'll stop now..) are delightfully made up of the same calibre of slackers, idlers and gossips as the local building community. But we soon see that this little group are more than they first appear and they are just what Mark needs to get him out of a tight spot. Just as we learn more about his compadres, Mark also begins to see the genuine merits of the friends he has dismissed as losers, and that he does not really know as much about the people close to him as he thought - that in fact, he has been cutting himself off from those who could help him in his hour of need.
There are some delicious laugh out loud moments in this darkly comic adventure, set against a real air of gritty danger, with an intriguing mystery to be solved. I found the setting in the peculiar claustrophobic atmosphere of the Medway Towns, where everybody seems to know everybody else, is just perfect too (I have lots of family that live here and there is a weird Bermuda Triangle-esque feeling to the place).
I loved that this story rounds off in a most satisfying way, with a nice little twist and a slick denouement, but there are still questions to be answered about Mark's personal life - this makes for an attractive little hook to draw us into the next adventure, and I am really looking forward to being along for the ride.
Not only has Mark lost a friend, but said kitchen is now a crime scene and off limits, with no chance of the job being completed and paid for - not good since Mark was relying on that money to help get him out of a financial hole.
Who would want to kill Tommy? Was this a warning that Mark's debts are well and truly overdue?
With the police breathing down Mark's neck and trying to put him in the frame for Tommy's death, he has no choice but to turn to the local mobster, Hamlet, for a bit of financial assistance...and, in return, Hamlet has a few shady jobs for Mark that he cannot now refuse.
The plot thickens as Mark tries to find out what Tommy was up to when he was not working for him, and as two more bodies turn up, both also linked to Mark, it seems his options are slim - either help the police to clear his name or go along with Hamlet's schemes and pay off his mounting debts.
Stuck between rock and more than one hard case, Mark really needs to get up to speed fast, before time runs out.
****************************************************************
Death of a Painter is the first book in a new series about the hard-pressed electrician Marky Mark Poynter and the vaguaries of the building game, set in and around the Medway Towns - and its a corker (or should it be caulker?).
Imagine, if you will, a sort of Brushstrokes set-up (if you are old enough to remember the 80s TV show), with added menace. There is a wonderful cast of characters from Mark down, both friends and enemies, who it is so easy to picture. Everyone has a nickname, and an angle (angle grinder?) and Mark has to negotiate the close-knit network of fellow builders - slackers, idlers and gossips - to try to get himself out of the pickle he finds himself in. Real danger abounds and he needs to move fast to save himself, whilst avoiding those less than friendly members of the community he owes money to.
We soon come to learn that Mark, while a bit of a wheeler and dealer, is a thoroughly decent sort and it is only desperation that leads him to the door of Hamlet - someone he is under no illusions about due to past dealings, and is reluctant to be in the debt of. It is going to take all of Mark's wits to get out of this sticky situation - wits he seems in real danger of losing, judging by the number of beatings he seems to be habitually in line for.
I particularly enjoyed Mark's little gang of side-kicks, who at first sight (site?...Ok, I'll stop now..) are delightfully made up of the same calibre of slackers, idlers and gossips as the local building community. But we soon see that this little group are more than they first appear and they are just what Mark needs to get him out of a tight spot. Just as we learn more about his compadres, Mark also begins to see the genuine merits of the friends he has dismissed as losers, and that he does not really know as much about the people close to him as he thought - that in fact, he has been cutting himself off from those who could help him in his hour of need.
There are some delicious laugh out loud moments in this darkly comic adventure, set against a real air of gritty danger, with an intriguing mystery to be solved. I found the setting in the peculiar claustrophobic atmosphere of the Medway Towns, where everybody seems to know everybody else, is just perfect too (I have lots of family that live here and there is a weird Bermuda Triangle-esque feeling to the place).
I loved that this story rounds off in a most satisfying way, with a nice little twist and a slick denouement, but there are still questions to be answered about Mark's personal life - this makes for an attractive little hook to draw us into the next adventure, and I am really looking forward to being along for the ride.
June 3, 2020
Not only do I have go to authors, I have go to publishers, whose books I know will always be superb reads. Orenda is one and Red Dog Press is another! I just know that they carefully select books so that only really great ones are released out in our wonderful reading world.
I knew that on picking up Death Of A Painter I would be guaranteed hours of great reading and I was proved right.
So what was so great about this new novel. I loved the hero Mark Poynter, who is not the predictable police officer, he is a builder, who gets caught up in the tribulations of a friend, who ends up dead in the middle of one of his building projects. Now that it feels different and makes for a more unusual caste of characters. He is flawed, debt ridden, but generally a good man and I found myself liking him and wanting to spend lots of time with him.
We read loads of thrillers littered with heros, who are either gruff men, or superhuman police officers and I love them, but it’s refreshing to spend time with a everyday character faced with a nightmare scenario of people dying around him and still having time to do a few building jobs, despite rather a lot of bruises. I know this might sound farfetched, but crimes exist closer than we think and just because we are not part of that world, we don’t see it, but Matthew Ross brings it to us, through a character who could be any of us and that makes it very thrilling indeed.
The story is littered with moments of excitement, dark humour and ordinary days turned upside down by death, debt and desperation. It balances them all out, so that you have a story that feels compulsive and entertaining. Especially at the moment, I don’t won’t relentless gloom, I want something that makes me laugh sometimes, even if that is in unexpected places and Death Of A Painter gave me that. I giggled, especially at poor Mark having to work with his sometimes work shy uncle, who had me in stitches over a rather pink painting job.
It was nice that the author, created a storyline that felt uplifted between Mark’s efforts to clear his own name, solve his debt problems and literally stay out of prison and out of hospital. Even the love interest was a pleasant and fun element to add into the story. Nothing ever goes easy for poor old Mark, but you can’t help rooting for him. I spent hours hoping he would get to the end in one piece, avoiding the attentions of the police and local criminals, because though his past is littered with past mistakes, we all want the hero to save the day and his own life!
Death Of A Painter is a fun, often dark, but always an entertaining read. I look forward to Mark’s next adventure.
I knew that on picking up Death Of A Painter I would be guaranteed hours of great reading and I was proved right.
So what was so great about this new novel. I loved the hero Mark Poynter, who is not the predictable police officer, he is a builder, who gets caught up in the tribulations of a friend, who ends up dead in the middle of one of his building projects. Now that it feels different and makes for a more unusual caste of characters. He is flawed, debt ridden, but generally a good man and I found myself liking him and wanting to spend lots of time with him.
We read loads of thrillers littered with heros, who are either gruff men, or superhuman police officers and I love them, but it’s refreshing to spend time with a everyday character faced with a nightmare scenario of people dying around him and still having time to do a few building jobs, despite rather a lot of bruises. I know this might sound farfetched, but crimes exist closer than we think and just because we are not part of that world, we don’t see it, but Matthew Ross brings it to us, through a character who could be any of us and that makes it very thrilling indeed.
The story is littered with moments of excitement, dark humour and ordinary days turned upside down by death, debt and desperation. It balances them all out, so that you have a story that feels compulsive and entertaining. Especially at the moment, I don’t won’t relentless gloom, I want something that makes me laugh sometimes, even if that is in unexpected places and Death Of A Painter gave me that. I giggled, especially at poor Mark having to work with his sometimes work shy uncle, who had me in stitches over a rather pink painting job.
It was nice that the author, created a storyline that felt uplifted between Mark’s efforts to clear his own name, solve his debt problems and literally stay out of prison and out of hospital. Even the love interest was a pleasant and fun element to add into the story. Nothing ever goes easy for poor old Mark, but you can’t help rooting for him. I spent hours hoping he would get to the end in one piece, avoiding the attentions of the police and local criminals, because though his past is littered with past mistakes, we all want the hero to save the day and his own life!
Death Of A Painter is a fun, often dark, but always an entertaining read. I look forward to Mark’s next adventure.
April 15, 2020
IN THE BUILDING GAME TIME IS MONEY AND MONEY IS EVERYTHING. UNFORTUNATELY FOR MARK POYNTER, HE’S RUN OUT OF MONEY AND HE’S FAST RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
When Mark Poynter discovers a murder on his worksite all of his financial problems suddenly seem a lot closer to home: was this a warning his debts are overdue?
Suspected of being the killer and worried at being the intended victim, the murder only makes Mark’s money problems worse, leading him to turn to the local villain, Hamlet, who has his own unique repayment plan in mind for Mark.
When two more deaths plunge him even further into debt, Mark finds himself faced with a choice – help the police and clear his name or help the villain and clear his debt.
Set in the Medway Towns on the grey margins of criminality, where no job’s too big, no dodge’s too small …
Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they go to just to earn a living.
My thoughts of this brilliant outstanding Crime Thriller with some funny elements in it was fantastic loved the characters a brilliant story that was sometimes heart touching and funny it's about a body of a Painter has been found in a house which mark and his team were working on Mark gets accused of murder and he goes out to clear his name and he has money problems that he has to pay the people who work for him as the job in the house does not get completed he is in serious trouble when 2 more murders happen a masterpiece crime comedy thriller that is so realistic that it could happen to anyone to find out about the killer was shocking the best funny scene was when mark tells the detective who is investigating the murder of the Painter mark says I thought your Italian was hilarious I would like to say thank you to the publishers Red Dog Press for giving me a proof of an advance review copy I would like to say this is one of the brilliant debuts of the year author Matthew Ross has nailed it with this one if you're a fan of crime thrillers with comedy elements then this ones for you a brilliantly written rollocoster thriller ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
When Mark Poynter discovers a murder on his worksite all of his financial problems suddenly seem a lot closer to home: was this a warning his debts are overdue?
Suspected of being the killer and worried at being the intended victim, the murder only makes Mark’s money problems worse, leading him to turn to the local villain, Hamlet, who has his own unique repayment plan in mind for Mark.
When two more deaths plunge him even further into debt, Mark finds himself faced with a choice – help the police and clear his name or help the villain and clear his debt.
Set in the Medway Towns on the grey margins of criminality, where no job’s too big, no dodge’s too small …
Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they go to just to earn a living.
My thoughts of this brilliant outstanding Crime Thriller with some funny elements in it was fantastic loved the characters a brilliant story that was sometimes heart touching and funny it's about a body of a Painter has been found in a house which mark and his team were working on Mark gets accused of murder and he goes out to clear his name and he has money problems that he has to pay the people who work for him as the job in the house does not get completed he is in serious trouble when 2 more murders happen a masterpiece crime comedy thriller that is so realistic that it could happen to anyone to find out about the killer was shocking the best funny scene was when mark tells the detective who is investigating the murder of the Painter mark says I thought your Italian was hilarious I would like to say thank you to the publishers Red Dog Press for giving me a proof of an advance review copy I would like to say this is one of the brilliant debuts of the year author Matthew Ross has nailed it with this one if you're a fan of crime thrillers with comedy elements then this ones for you a brilliantly written rollocoster thriller ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
August 9, 2020
Death of a Painter is a greatly enjoyable read. Fast paced and with lots of unexpected twists and turns, I couldn't stop reading.
Main character and narrator, Mark Poynton, starts out in trouble and somehow keeps on managing to get himself in deeper. He owes money, he becomes a suspect in a murder, he gets drawn back into the orbit of local criminal Hamlet...
Every new twist puts Mark into more trouble and raises the stakes - emotionally and financially. This is also a novel in which the violence is convincingly real.
The building trade background is expertly drawn, and the cast of characters - police and villains, Mark's friends and family - all come to life.
Poynter's voice is darkly comic - but he also has emotional depth. The developing relationship with his neighbour, Perry, is touching - but also so is his loyalty to Tommy (the murdered painter of the title) and his widow Jen. Like a Chandler hero, he's moral - but his morality is on his own terms.
I'm avoiding spoilers, but I'm looking forward to the next series not only for the brilliantly paced plotting, but there's also an interesting family backstory. I am longing to find out more about the mystery surrounding Poynter's brother.
Main character and narrator, Mark Poynton, starts out in trouble and somehow keeps on managing to get himself in deeper. He owes money, he becomes a suspect in a murder, he gets drawn back into the orbit of local criminal Hamlet...
Every new twist puts Mark into more trouble and raises the stakes - emotionally and financially. This is also a novel in which the violence is convincingly real.
The building trade background is expertly drawn, and the cast of characters - police and villains, Mark's friends and family - all come to life.
Poynter's voice is darkly comic - but he also has emotional depth. The developing relationship with his neighbour, Perry, is touching - but also so is his loyalty to Tommy (the murdered painter of the title) and his widow Jen. Like a Chandler hero, he's moral - but his morality is on his own terms.
I'm avoiding spoilers, but I'm looking forward to the next series not only for the brilliantly paced plotting, but there's also an interesting family backstory. I am longing to find out more about the mystery surrounding Poynter's brother.
August 2, 2023
You might think this is a cheeky chappy cosy crime book but it's not really a cosy crime at all. Sure, it's full of personality and quirky characters, and is set in the UK (not a prerequisite but a feature of a lot of them!) but the main characters are very rough around the edges, they don't always take the moral high road, and death is not shied away from.
Mark is an electrician, struggling to get by, when a painter he's working with meets a grisly end. His debts start to pile up - and it turns out the only way to get around them is to investigate who killed his friend, and why.
It took me a little while to get into this one, I have to admit, but it paid off in the end. I'm not generally a fan of anti-heroes and as mentioned the characters here certainly have some grey edges. The plot has a lot of strands to follow and it took me some time to get a good sense of the shape of it. But taken as a whole, it helps to build a strong, messy world where the characters feel like real and messy people.
The crime plot isn't too predictable and feels well earned. I'll return to this series.
Mark is an electrician, struggling to get by, when a painter he's working with meets a grisly end. His debts start to pile up - and it turns out the only way to get around them is to investigate who killed his friend, and why.
It took me a little while to get into this one, I have to admit, but it paid off in the end. I'm not generally a fan of anti-heroes and as mentioned the characters here certainly have some grey edges. The plot has a lot of strands to follow and it took me some time to get a good sense of the shape of it. But taken as a whole, it helps to build a strong, messy world where the characters feel like real and messy people.
The crime plot isn't too predictable and feels well earned. I'll return to this series.
May 10, 2020
#PoorPoorMarkyMark. That is actually said with genuine sympathy. He’s just found his best mate dead, he’s prime suspect according to a detective with tunnel vision and trying to pick up the pieces for his mate’s widow. And then step by step, people he knows are targeted…. and he is the man at the centre… but why??!
I really warmed to Mark as a character. I could picture him as the cheeky electrician I’ve called to look at some faulty wiring or a dodgy fuse box. And oh my the sparks between him and Perry!! Is this a match made in heaven or will this pair remain platonic… I know which I want to happen!!
But then there is the dark and overbearing world owned by Hamlet. The go-to dodgy guy who everyone owes and he owns. Hamlet is not a guy to be messed with but I saw a glimmer of something else….
I really enjoyed this dark humorous crime read. Ross has encapsulated the workman community (or what I envisage it to be like) to a T. I was baffled as to who killed Tommy which is a good thing! I’m looking forward to reading Ross’ next escapade for Mr Poynter!
I really warmed to Mark as a character. I could picture him as the cheeky electrician I’ve called to look at some faulty wiring or a dodgy fuse box. And oh my the sparks between him and Perry!! Is this a match made in heaven or will this pair remain platonic… I know which I want to happen!!
But then there is the dark and overbearing world owned by Hamlet. The go-to dodgy guy who everyone owes and he owns. Hamlet is not a guy to be messed with but I saw a glimmer of something else….
I really enjoyed this dark humorous crime read. Ross has encapsulated the workman community (or what I envisage it to be like) to a T. I was baffled as to who killed Tommy which is a good thing! I’m looking forward to reading Ross’ next escapade for Mr Poynter!
May 17, 2023
This is book one in the Poynter and Perry series and what an absolutely brilliant opener.
I was expecting the usual murder mystery but this was so much more.
I loved Mark Poynter as our main character. He's in the building trade and having known a lot of builders (my dad being one) I found him totally relatable and so, so believable.
Flying from job to job, always low on available cash, borrowing from one to pay the other and the phone calls and lack of responses - all so true.
When one of his work mates is found dead, Mark is the main suspect even though he had an alibi. As the investigation progresses and more bodies turn up, Mark tries everything to clear his name, including teaming up with the local criminal.
With a big cast of dubious but fantastic characters, there was plenty to entertain us throughout and this was perfect to release the tension of the debt, criminal and violent content.
This was a perfect combination and I cannot wait to see what's in store for Poynter and Perry in book 2
I was expecting the usual murder mystery but this was so much more.
I loved Mark Poynter as our main character. He's in the building trade and having known a lot of builders (my dad being one) I found him totally relatable and so, so believable.
Flying from job to job, always low on available cash, borrowing from one to pay the other and the phone calls and lack of responses - all so true.
When one of his work mates is found dead, Mark is the main suspect even though he had an alibi. As the investigation progresses and more bodies turn up, Mark tries everything to clear his name, including teaming up with the local criminal.
With a big cast of dubious but fantastic characters, there was plenty to entertain us throughout and this was perfect to release the tension of the debt, criminal and violent content.
This was a perfect combination and I cannot wait to see what's in store for Poynter and Perry in book 2
May 28, 2023
An enjoyable start to the Poynter and Perry Mystery series and I'm liking the new cover art - I think the style will work well for future books.
I liked that, even though there were murders, it felt more grounded in reality than some books. I warmed to Mark and wish Mr Skinner would have too... Also Cookie can go do one - and Senia come to think of it, but for different reasons.
I could have done with a cheat sheet of names in the back as there are quite a lot of characters to keep track of - due to this it sometimes made a reveal slightly underwhelming as I couldn’t remember who it was. It was also penned as crime/dark humour, but I felt it was more cosy mystery style and didn't really see much humour in it (not necessarily a bad thing).
The twists and turns kept delivering and I thought Hamlet and his goons were well written as the villains. So, I'm intrigued as to the next "favour" that gets asked of Mark.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I liked that, even though there were murders, it felt more grounded in reality than some books. I warmed to Mark and wish Mr Skinner would have too... Also Cookie can go do one - and Senia come to think of it, but for different reasons.
I could have done with a cheat sheet of names in the back as there are quite a lot of characters to keep track of - due to this it sometimes made a reveal slightly underwhelming as I couldn’t remember who it was. It was also penned as crime/dark humour, but I felt it was more cosy mystery style and didn't really see much humour in it (not necessarily a bad thing).
The twists and turns kept delivering and I thought Hamlet and his goons were well written as the villains. So, I'm intrigued as to the next "favour" that gets asked of Mark.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 6, 2022
Crime novel with a helping of dark humour. Our hero is electrician Mark Poynter, a happy go lucky builder with some darker secrets in his past. His mate Tommy is found dead in the kitchen they were fitting for a customer, and Mark soon finds himself the main suspect, as well as being in debt to a local villain who shows an interest in the crime.
Really enjoyable read with a cast of endearingly ‘dodgy’ workmen, a feisty and intelligent love interest, and a great mix of criminality and humour. Mark’s voice is an engaging and convincing one, and I really enjoyed his character - tough and streetwise at times, but also kind hearted and occasionally a bit of a softy. The author obviously knows the building trade well, adding just enough detail to create an authentic feel to his setting.
Delighted to find this was the first in a series, and will be picking up the second book very soon to see what scrapes Marky Mark gets into next.
Really enjoyable read with a cast of endearingly ‘dodgy’ workmen, a feisty and intelligent love interest, and a great mix of criminality and humour. Mark’s voice is an engaging and convincing one, and I really enjoyed his character - tough and streetwise at times, but also kind hearted and occasionally a bit of a softy. The author obviously knows the building trade well, adding just enough detail to create an authentic feel to his setting.
Delighted to find this was the first in a series, and will be picking up the second book very soon to see what scrapes Marky Mark gets into next.
October 14, 2020
A fun mystery with plenty of twists and a delightfully odd bunch of characters so realistically portrayed that they practically jump off the pages. More humorous than laugh out loud funny, puts me in mind of The Burglar series by Lawrence Block.
Death of a Painter is not the type of mystery where you get all the clues and try to put it together; you just go along for the ride as electrician Mark Poynter bumbles along trying to keep his life from coming apart as he navigates the hazards of angry creditors, suspicious police inspectors, and the local crime boss while trying to figure out who is killing people he knows.
Recommended to those who enjoy a good quirky mystery that's more than a cozy but not really hardboiled.
Some violence, strong language and adult content (Rated PG-13)
Death of a Painter is not the type of mystery where you get all the clues and try to put it together; you just go along for the ride as electrician Mark Poynter bumbles along trying to keep his life from coming apart as he navigates the hazards of angry creditors, suspicious police inspectors, and the local crime boss while trying to figure out who is killing people he knows.
Recommended to those who enjoy a good quirky mystery that's more than a cozy but not really hardboiled.
Some violence, strong language and adult content (Rated PG-13)
May 11, 2023
Death of A Painter by Matthew Ross.
When Mark Poynter discovers a murder on his worksite all of his financial problems suddenly seem a lot closer to home: was this a warning his debts are overdue?
Suspected of being the killer and worried at being the intended victim, the murder only makes Mark’s money problems worse, leading him to turn to the local villain, Hamlet, who has his own unique repayment plan in mind for Mark.
When two more deaths plunge him even further into debt, Mark finds himself faced with a choice – help the police and clear his name or help the villain and clear his debt.
Set in the Medway Towns on the grey margins of criminality, where no job’s too big, no dodge’s too small …
I really enjoyed this book. Dark thriller with a touch of comedy. Loved Mark. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.
When Mark Poynter discovers a murder on his worksite all of his financial problems suddenly seem a lot closer to home: was this a warning his debts are overdue?
Suspected of being the killer and worried at being the intended victim, the murder only makes Mark’s money problems worse, leading him to turn to the local villain, Hamlet, who has his own unique repayment plan in mind for Mark.
When two more deaths plunge him even further into debt, Mark finds himself faced with a choice – help the police and clear his name or help the villain and clear his debt.
Set in the Medway Towns on the grey margins of criminality, where no job’s too big, no dodge’s too small …
I really enjoyed this book. Dark thriller with a touch of comedy. Loved Mark. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.
June 2, 2023
I received this book for an honest review and the first pet of the book was slow to start but it was a great read. Like previous reviews the killer throws you till the end.
Mark is the contractor on a kitchen renovation he’s been out with the home owner and comes back to find his painter Tommy dead. He goes into a tailspin with grief and worry as he’s in debt with trades and other contractors.
What’s a man to do when he’s at the end of his rope! He goes back to the local crime style boss in the area and it escalates from there.
A good read a book not only on the trade which is reminiscent for me of Danny King but also a good book of how you’re never sure of the people you think you know and how to help family and care for those in need.
I’ll pick up book 2 off the back of this one
Mark is the contractor on a kitchen renovation he’s been out with the home owner and comes back to find his painter Tommy dead. He goes into a tailspin with grief and worry as he’s in debt with trades and other contractors.
What’s a man to do when he’s at the end of his rope! He goes back to the local crime style boss in the area and it escalates from there.
A good read a book not only on the trade which is reminiscent for me of Danny King but also a good book of how you’re never sure of the people you think you know and how to help family and care for those in need.
I’ll pick up book 2 off the back of this one
August 10, 2021
Recommended via my book club and I have gone on to recommend.
Matthew Ross has done really well for his debut book. Story has various elements of dark humour, seriousness, the obligatory dead body (or two) mystery, your villain that you almost have a soft spot for and of course Mark, the almost helpless reluctant sleuth.
Enjoyed that it was set around the building trade, not come across that before. What really peeked my interest though was trying to recognise places he describes as a Medway resident too.
Really looking forward to the next book to see how Mark is, and if Matthew further develops the core characters.
Matthew Ross has done really well for his debut book. Story has various elements of dark humour, seriousness, the obligatory dead body (or two) mystery, your villain that you almost have a soft spot for and of course Mark, the almost helpless reluctant sleuth.
Enjoyed that it was set around the building trade, not come across that before. What really peeked my interest though was trying to recognise places he describes as a Medway resident too.
Really looking forward to the next book to see how Mark is, and if Matthew further develops the core characters.
April 12, 2020
Firstly thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. Wow what a brilliant book. I only really chose this book because my husband is a painter and decorator but as soon as I started reading I knew the decision was the right one. The characters are so true to life and I am sure we could all relate to one of them as someone we know. The storyline sets just the right pace and the ending was actually surprising. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you want a good 'cozy' crime book with a twist you will not go wrong with this one, and it will also appeal to male readers who according to my other half do not have a lot of choice in this catergory. Please read this book you will not be disappointed.
May 7, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this 5⭐️ read, so different from the usual crime reads that I have previously read. Such a great mix of characters and you really can’t help but feel for the main character Marky Mark Poynter he is just trying to somehow make ends meet as an electrician, with his eclectic group of friends of painters and decorators, what a group they are, “Disco” Dave, Uncle Bern, to name just a couple, who work for and with Mark although spend a fair amount of time in the pub, or in the local cafe given half the chance.
At the beginning of the book, we know that Mark is working on a job fitting a new kitchen with Tommy, who Mark has known for a long time, but when Tommy is murdered, the first person the police suspect is Mark. We gradually get introduced to more and more characters, and find out more about Mark, who compared to a few of his friends seems very genuine and in a way naive. But Mark owes people money, people who need paying sooner rather than later. He offers to help Tommy’s wife sort out the business and get any monies owed. Which seems to get him involved in more troubles. Then you have the local villain Hamlet and his goons who Mark didn’t really want to get involved with again but when someone close to Hamlet is murdered, Mark gets an offer he finds hard to refuse. He is fighting to save his business, his friends money, as well as trying to find out who the killer This is a very well plotted story, with some dark humour, if you like a book with good characters, something a bit different from police procedurals, but equally entertaining, engaging and engrossing. I recommend this. I will be interested to see where the characters go next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At the beginning of the book, we know that Mark is working on a job fitting a new kitchen with Tommy, who Mark has known for a long time, but when Tommy is murdered, the first person the police suspect is Mark. We gradually get introduced to more and more characters, and find out more about Mark, who compared to a few of his friends seems very genuine and in a way naive. But Mark owes people money, people who need paying sooner rather than later. He offers to help Tommy’s wife sort out the business and get any monies owed. Which seems to get him involved in more troubles. Then you have the local villain Hamlet and his goons who Mark didn’t really want to get involved with again but when someone close to Hamlet is murdered, Mark gets an offer he finds hard to refuse. He is fighting to save his business, his friends money, as well as trying to find out who the killer This is a very well plotted story, with some dark humour, if you like a book with good characters, something a bit different from police procedurals, but equally entertaining, engaging and engrossing. I recommend this. I will be interested to see where the characters go next. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 6, 2020
Mark Poynter is in the building trade, he has many friends and associates, constantly robbing Peter to pay Paul just to keep his head above water while waiting for his clients to pay up for his services, he’s also the police’s number one suspect when his friend is found with his head bashed in whilst working on their current job.!
This is an excellent comic crime thriller that will have to laughing and guess who done it in equal measure!
This is an excellent comic crime thriller that will have to laughing and guess who done it in equal measure!
May 17, 2023
When Mark starts to find bodies on his worksite, his financial issues are only more prominent; but he now has two options, help the police find out who put them there or help the villains who put them there and clear his debt.
This was crime fiction with dark humour that had me laughing with the one-liners. This was a great group of characters and a narrative that flowed I couldn’t get enough of it. This is the first book in a series and I look forward to more with these characters.
This was crime fiction with dark humour that had me laughing with the one-liners. This was a great group of characters and a narrative that flowed I couldn’t get enough of it. This is the first book in a series and I look forward to more with these characters.
June 28, 2023
A murder, lots of interesting characters and many secrets. Mark is in construction and is in some hot water when he finds the body of Tommy, his painter. Who killed him? Mark is a suspect and also needs to find a way to pay back money he owes. There are a lot of twists and turns and shady deals. Can Mark figure his way out of all his problems without getting arrested murder or getting killed himself?
August 30, 2020
Mark Poynter really exists, trust me, I spent years working on building sites. Matt Ross has captured the banter among the workmen perfectly, he writes dialogue with a confidence and flow rarely seen these days. Death of a Painter is cracking good read with a clever and surprising twist approaching the end.
I absolutely loved this book, well worth adding to your bookshelf.
I absolutely loved this book, well worth adding to your bookshelf.
January 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this debut and first in a series story!
Set in the building trade, it was a breath of fresh air as a unique setting (for me anyway as I can't think of another book I have read in this area!) and ripe for hopefully lots more stories. With a lot of funny, colourful characters, I am looking forward to reading more about Marky Mark the spark and friends!
Set in the building trade, it was a breath of fresh air as a unique setting (for me anyway as I can't think of another book I have read in this area!) and ripe for hopefully lots more stories. With a lot of funny, colourful characters, I am looking forward to reading more about Marky Mark the spark and friends!
February 21, 2021
Based in my home town and in the same industry that I have worked in for many years this was an intriguing read.
Plenty of twists and tales and in my mind set up for a sequel it had many characters i could relate to/ recognise. Fast paced with no silly drawn out events - each event written believably and with conviction.
Read it in a day and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Good debut novel.
Plenty of twists and tales and in my mind set up for a sequel it had many characters i could relate to/ recognise. Fast paced with no silly drawn out events - each event written believably and with conviction.
Read it in a day and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Good debut novel.
June 8, 2023
I wasn't sure I'd stick with this one as it seemed quite slow paced at first. However it didn't disappoint and went on to tell the tale of Mark the builder who has debts. His best friend Tommy has been murdered on the job. To clear his name Mark has to get involved with local villains and debts keep building ! A good read all round once I got into it.
April 5, 2020
This book was a cracker. It was a right good tale of trying to solve a murder that culminated in a frantic ending! As well as being action-y, it was also very funny! It featured a fantastic range of characters. Matthew Ross has a great writing career ahead of him!
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