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The Dealer and the Dead
Sometimes, surviving a war can almost seem worse than dying in it. In a Croatian village near Vukovar, no one who survived will ever forget the night they waited for the weapons they needed to make a last-ditch fight against the advancing Serbs. The promised delivery never came, and the village was overrun. Eighteen years later, a body is unearthed from a field, and with it the identity of the arms dealer who betrayed them. Now the villagers can plot their revenge. In leafy England, arms dealer Harvey Gillott regards himself as a man of his word. There is only one blemish on his record, and that was long ago. But Gillott, his family, his friends and his enemies are about to be pitched into a sequence of events that will unfold across Europe with breath-taking drama and almost biblical power. Harvey Gillott is about to find out what happens when the hand of the past suddenly reaches out to the present - and it's holding a gun.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
80 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Seymour
100 books289 followersGerald Seymour (born 25 November 1941 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British writer.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 28, 2010
Having worked briefly with the author during the Munich Olympic Games, I can testify to his determination to be close to the heart of a story. This has characterised his work since he became a full-time author, and it informs much of the background to his latest, scrupulously researched novel.
Eighteen years after a massacre in a small Croatian community, the inhabitants are provoked to plot their revenge. Their target is Harvey Gillott, an English arms dealer. It is a strength of Seymour's writing that over the course of 458 gripping pages the ethics of the arms trade are examined even handedly. If the climax has the feel of a ready-made movie scenario, well, this is thriller territory and the genre demands it. Meanwhile, the incidentals - whether of internecine conflict or of current and outdated weapons - bear an authentic stamp.
Gerald Seymour deals from the top of the deck but once again distributes the aces with masterly sleight of hand.
Eighteen years after a massacre in a small Croatian community, the inhabitants are provoked to plot their revenge. Their target is Harvey Gillott, an English arms dealer. It is a strength of Seymour's writing that over the course of 458 gripping pages the ethics of the arms trade are examined even handedly. If the climax has the feel of a ready-made movie scenario, well, this is thriller territory and the genre demands it. Meanwhile, the incidentals - whether of internecine conflict or of current and outdated weapons - bear an authentic stamp.
Gerald Seymour deals from the top of the deck but once again distributes the aces with masterly sleight of hand.
September 22, 2012
This book started out with a mere 1/5 as I thought the writing was poor and the characters even more so. It progressed up to a 2/5 once the action began as it was exciting and you were never quite sure what was going to happen. It shot up to 3/5 as it neared the climax as I couldn’t wait to find out the ending but sadly dropped back down to 2 after a disappointing finale.
The characters were my main issue with the book. I disliked the majority of them, either finding them boring or irritating and Seymour added in secondary characters such as Megs and Penny, who I felt contributed little to the storyline and wondered why they were there. Seymour made Harvey an interesting character nonetheless, as he avoided creating an evil arms dealer, instead a normal human being. Despite that there also seemed to be an air of detachment and I didn’t particularly warm to him.
Seymour divided his work into various different viewpoints which was interesting, although he had a particularly annoying habit of starting each section with a pronoun (he/she) meaning you were never quite sure who he was referring to until a couple of lines in.
His plot was incredibly interesting and dips in to a side of warfare we never normally hear about and leaves provoking thoughts in the minds of the reader about the arms trade and those who deal with it.
The characters were my main issue with the book. I disliked the majority of them, either finding them boring or irritating and Seymour added in secondary characters such as Megs and Penny, who I felt contributed little to the storyline and wondered why they were there. Seymour made Harvey an interesting character nonetheless, as he avoided creating an evil arms dealer, instead a normal human being. Despite that there also seemed to be an air of detachment and I didn’t particularly warm to him.
Seymour divided his work into various different viewpoints which was interesting, although he had a particularly annoying habit of starting each section with a pronoun (he/she) meaning you were never quite sure who he was referring to until a couple of lines in.
His plot was incredibly interesting and dips in to a side of warfare we never normally hear about and leaves provoking thoughts in the minds of the reader about the arms trade and those who deal with it.
March 24, 2018
Based on actual events at Vukovar during the Croation/Serbian war in the 1990's 'The Dealer and the Dead' provides not only a great read but a valuable history lesson at the same time. I must admit I was very confused over the events during this period so this went someway towards providing some clarity in much the same same way the 'The Obedient Assassin' helped me to understand why Trotsky fell out with Stalin. Thank you Peter Harland for giving me this book to read, you got anymore like this?
Vukovar is a township located on the Danube River that is famous for the massacre that occurred there during the height of the war. I happened to be fortunate enough to cruise this mighty river last year but unfortunately only got as far as Budapest. I notice that there is river cruises that take in that part of the world so I think this township might be on my bucket list.
Vukovar is a township located on the Danube River that is famous for the massacre that occurred there during the height of the war. I happened to be fortunate enough to cruise this mighty river last year but unfortunately only got as far as Budapest. I notice that there is river cruises that take in that part of the world so I think this township might be on my bucket list.
April 27, 2024
This is the second Gerald Seymour book I've read and it will be my last. Just can't get on with him and find his books a mountain to climb with nothing particularly gripping. Slow to start, gets more interesting in the middle with a disappointing ending.
July 9, 2018
Excellent read. Seymour at his best
January 19, 2020
Fraid it’s a nah for me
January 31, 2014
I've read several books by Gerald Seymour and liked them very much. He has a very unique approach to the story but sometimes that can be a double-edged sword..... For example in this book story pace is pretty uneven - you have slow, slooow parts where we are introduced to thoughts of main characters, way they think about everything from weather outside to the issues at hand and then you have fast paced parts where main plot moves on. Fortunately after very slow start pace gets faster and faster ending in a cathartic finale.
Due to the above mentioned slow parts book may not appeal to everybody but if you remain persistent you'll be rewarded with a great story.
I think that ending is slightly melodramatic but authors portrayal of Balkan's (South-East Europe, although many nations from ex-Yugoslavia would say they are part of Central Europe and that Balkan's starts south from them) is unfortunately very true. Being place where interest zones of many a empire past and present, east and west clash constantly it is a place where past never dies and where century old grudges are still fresh and just waiting to be used by demagogues to stir up blood. Hopefully this will change in next century or four.
If you like thrillers this one is recommended.
Due to the above mentioned slow parts book may not appeal to everybody but if you remain persistent you'll be rewarded with a great story.
I think that ending is slightly melodramatic but authors portrayal of Balkan's (South-East Europe, although many nations from ex-Yugoslavia would say they are part of Central Europe and that Balkan's starts south from them) is unfortunately very true. Being place where interest zones of many a empire past and present, east and west clash constantly it is a place where past never dies and where century old grudges are still fresh and just waiting to be used by demagogues to stir up blood. Hopefully this will change in next century or four.
If you like thrillers this one is recommended.
February 16, 2015
This is such a fine book.... The great themes of betrayal, honor, integrity, and redemption are played out against a backdrop of old European conflicts, modern English politics and police work, the weapons trade, and old fashion retribution. It's about topics I hadn't thought much about, but the manner by which he pulls them together works so well.
I've had a bit of a problem in the past with Seymour's technique of switching the focus of his narrative back and forth among different characters, but in this case it helped paint a intricate backdrop to the story and developed the cast of strong characters in great detail. It's extremely well written and, although the plot is a bit dense and complicated, a thoroughly satisfying read.
This is a great book by an author who seems to just get better and better.
I've had a bit of a problem in the past with Seymour's technique of switching the focus of his narrative back and forth among different characters, but in this case it helped paint a intricate backdrop to the story and developed the cast of strong characters in great detail. It's extremely well written and, although the plot is a bit dense and complicated, a thoroughly satisfying read.
This is a great book by an author who seems to just get better and better.
January 5, 2017
This is not absolutely 5 star vintage Gerald Seymour in my view, but its an extremely accomplished, genuinely well plotted and exciting novel. I loved everything about the book, its really up to you how you view the end ... Personally, I loved less everything about the final chapters. Don't let me put you off reading the book though if you are a Gerald Seymour fan
May 26, 2012
So disappointed ! I found this so slow I ended up skipping bits! It felt to me as if this book had been written to a formula by numbers. It did not grab or hold my attention, such a pity as some of his other books were thrilling.
September 11, 2016
Fascinating read. Many twists, lives changed, strange heroes. Very real, very human.
Difficult style. Jumps scenes abruptly.
Difficult style. Jumps scenes abruptly.
September 24, 2018
Harvey Gillott is an arms dealer. He sells arms to governments and individuals around the world, regardless of their political leanings. His sole objective is to make money and to stay out of jail, as he does his business legally. Almost 2 decades earlier, he made a deal to provide arms to a small village in Croatia, near the Serbian village, so they could defend themselves against attacks from the Serbs. The villagers gave up all their valuables in order to buy weapons. The deal fell through, through no fault of Gillott's, and the villagers never got their weapons. As a result, the village was decimated and many of its inhabitants either killed or wounded for life.
For years, the villagers have lived with the anger and frustration of not receiving their weapons of defense, but they had no recourse for revenge. However, when a clue is uncovered as to the identity of the arms dealer, the one who let them down, they seek revenge of the highest order; they put a hit out on Harvey Gillott. In the end, will the villagers get their revenge?
For years, the villagers have lived with the anger and frustration of not receiving their weapons of defense, but they had no recourse for revenge. However, when a clue is uncovered as to the identity of the arms dealer, the one who let them down, they seek revenge of the highest order; they put a hit out on Harvey Gillott. In the end, will the villagers get their revenge?
January 25, 2020
I've read a few Gerald Seymour books, enjoyed them all, but this one was slightly disappointing.
The Dealer and the Dead follows a familiar Seymour template: some deeply flawed central characters, a setting in one of recent history's hotspots (Vukovar, site of one of the fiercest battles in the Croatian War of Independence), a bit of inter-agency feuding and distrust, all told in cool, detached prose. In Seymour's best works - A Line in the Sand, Harry's Game, Holding the Zero - we grow over time to care about his morally ambivalent characters. But in The Dealer and the Dead the two central chacters, the hired killer and his target, both start off unlikeable and, if anything, grow more unsympathetic the longer the story goes.
The story dragged at times but the climax, though far-fetched, was rivetting.
The Dealer and the Dead follows a familiar Seymour template: some deeply flawed central characters, a setting in one of recent history's hotspots (Vukovar, site of one of the fiercest battles in the Croatian War of Independence), a bit of inter-agency feuding and distrust, all told in cool, detached prose. In Seymour's best works - A Line in the Sand, Harry's Game, Holding the Zero - we grow over time to care about his morally ambivalent characters. But in The Dealer and the Dead the two central chacters, the hired killer and his target, both start off unlikeable and, if anything, grow more unsympathetic the longer the story goes.
The story dragged at times but the climax, though far-fetched, was rivetting.
September 30, 2020
I have quite enjoyed some of Gerald Seymour's books and thought I'd give this one a go. I like books that develop stories from real situations, even if it is obviously fictional. The book gave a good background to the issues of the region during the conflict which was interesting. The storyline itself was initially good but began to drag a bit at times and became increasingly unrealistic as it progressed towards the finale, which I actually found quite predictable but not very believable.
Overall, I was disappointed with this book. I found most of the main characters unlikeable and rather two dimensional. In fact several were such stereotypes as to almost be caricatures, which I found irritating and by the end had largely lost interest in what happened to them.
Overall, I was disappointed with this book. I found most of the main characters unlikeable and rather two dimensional. In fact several were such stereotypes as to almost be caricatures, which I found irritating and by the end had largely lost interest in what happened to them.
August 20, 2020
When I picked this book up, my initial thought was that it was about drug-dealing. So I put it aside, and came back to it later. Only then did I realise it is about arms dealing, and retribution for an unfilled deal. The only previous book by this author I had read is the excellent Harry's Game, set (and written) during the early years of the Northern Ireland "Troubles". As with that book, Seymour's experience as a journalist reporting on armed conflict ensures authenticity of tone in this one.
I found the story's structure a bit disjointed, mainly because within chapters there are regular shifts of viewpoint. Yes, there are several threads taking place concurrently, that need to be woven together. But I would have preferred each chapter to have contained progress in only one or two of the threads. Perhaps that's why it took me so long to finish this book, as I found I could only read small sections at a time. I wasn't particularly engaged by the main characters, most of whom are pretty unlikable. But I was intrigued about which of the scenarios I had come up with would be played out at the end. I got it partly right. Overall I liked this book, without really enjoying it.
I found the story's structure a bit disjointed, mainly because within chapters there are regular shifts of viewpoint. Yes, there are several threads taking place concurrently, that need to be woven together. But I would have preferred each chapter to have contained progress in only one or two of the threads. Perhaps that's why it took me so long to finish this book, as I found I could only read small sections at a time. I wasn't particularly engaged by the main characters, most of whom are pretty unlikable. But I was intrigued about which of the scenarios I had come up with would be played out at the end. I got it partly right. Overall I liked this book, without really enjoying it.
August 9, 2024
I loved the story idea of this novel, but the execution was below average. There is way too much repetitive filler in the novel. The author could easily have cut a hundred pages and made a better job of it, if he had used an editor. The editor would have cleaned up all the confusing action scenes and typos.
The death march through the corn field is a great idea, but it is hardly realistic. The 'duty of care' of the British policeman is a ridiculous notion: that the police will protect drug or arms dealers from foreign hitman, and go as far as Croatia to do it. A ridiculous proposition. in conclusion, the idea of the novel is great, but the execution is hardly up to the task.
The death march through the corn field is a great idea, but it is hardly realistic. The 'duty of care' of the British policeman is a ridiculous notion: that the police will protect drug or arms dealers from foreign hitman, and go as far as Croatia to do it. A ridiculous proposition. in conclusion, the idea of the novel is great, but the execution is hardly up to the task.
July 3, 2023
Its a long time since I have read a book by Gerald Seymour but pleased I have been given this to read.
I found the history behind the war was very good and refreshed my memory of the unrest in Croatia in the 1990s.
The main plot line was great and I enjoyed it but felt there were some superfluous characters which slowed the storyline and created distraction so at times the book seemed to plod slowly.
However it was a worthwhile read and anyone who enjoys a crime/ thriller book will be pleased to become engrossed in this book
I found the history behind the war was very good and refreshed my memory of the unrest in Croatia in the 1990s.
The main plot line was great and I enjoyed it but felt there were some superfluous characters which slowed the storyline and created distraction so at times the book seemed to plod slowly.
However it was a worthwhile read and anyone who enjoys a crime/ thriller book will be pleased to become engrossed in this book
August 8, 2018
What a disturbing, strange and suspenseful story. Starts by developing several seemingly unrelated characters ("Where's he going with this?"). A cleverly constructed and dark plot about the fringes of the arms trade and a London crime family with a conscience. The diverse characters all seem to be a set of chess players, but who is the king, who is the queen and who are pawns? Shall have to read more of Mr. Seymour's stories.
September 11, 2020
Excellent book though typically with Seymour it takes a while to settle down. Emphasises the lack of any real black and white values or solutions, blame cannot be laid at the door of only one party. Useful recent history lesson which had me rooting at the end for a character I initially disliked. Well worth reading
October 3, 2020
He's a great story teller, as good as any. The characters are well drawn and varied. The format of many short section son different characters, with the strands coming together, intertwining with each other until the eventual culmination.
The lost star is the ending - which spans about 100 pages with its build up. It did not convince me at all.
The lost star is the ending - which spans about 100 pages with its build up. It did not convince me at all.
August 23, 2025
4.5⭐️ Just a really, really good writer! Will ensnare you in the first few pages, throw you into bed with a bunch of characters you will want to get to know better and then propel you along a helter shelter storyline that will leave you breathless but contented at its end. Is it not great that he has written so many books!!
August 6, 2017
Arm's trade dealer, Harvey Gillet, betrays a Croatian village by not honouring an arms deal made and paid for. The village paid a heavy price and many years later when they discover who the dealer was they take out a contract to end his life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2017
Vacuum
I love Gerald Seymour's work. This book just sucks you in and gets better and better. His details about each character makes you believe you know them and brings everything to life. It's not my first Gerald Seymour and it won't be my last.
I love Gerald Seymour's work. This book just sucks you in and gets better and better. His details about each character makes you believe you know them and brings everything to life. It's not my first Gerald Seymour and it won't be my last.
March 12, 2018
Gerald Seymour is a master story teller. This novel, set mainly in Croatia, is a page turner and will hold the interest of the reader until the end .I have read many of his books , I enjoyed this one .
January 10, 2019
Wow! Best book I've read in quite some time. A fascinating slice of insight into the Serb-Croat-Muslim wars in the former Yugoslavia and the world of arms dealers. I definitely want to read more books by this author.
December 3, 2021
A well structured story about revenge against an arms dealer 19 years after the destruction and rape of a Croatian village by Serbians. The narrative flits from one lead character to another and gradually builds to a crescendo.
November 14, 2023
An average thriller about 1991 Croatia. Failure of an arms dealer to supply arms to a village for its defence against Serbs.
19 years later the survivors seek out the dealer to take their revenge..
19 years later the survivors seek out the dealer to take their revenge..
April 29, 2025
More than just a ‘thrilla’
A well crafted book. It does what a book should do, it stops you periodically for some contemplation.
For it’s length, the pages consistently fly by.
The author has grown in talent over a long successful career.
A well crafted book. It does what a book should do, it stops you periodically for some contemplation.
For it’s length, the pages consistently fly by.
The author has grown in talent over a long successful career.
May 4, 2018
Another tour de force from the pen of one of our greatest modern day authors. The story builds from small beginnings to the usual tense ending that we expect from Mr Seymour. So good!
October 15, 2019
One of the 11 best mysteries I read in 2014.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews