- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Orion (7 Jan 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0752857762
- ISBN-13: 978-0752857763
- Product Dimensions: 15.3 x 3.5 x 23.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,370,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Playroom
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Product Description
Review
'...a gripping and unusual police procedural' (Susanna Yager SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
'John Connor's day job as a barrister involves heading up a team responsible for the prosecution of serious crime - experience that shows in this novel's meticulous attention to detail and complex characterisation.' (DAILY RECORD )
'... a fast-moving police procedural by a writer who knows his stuff.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
'a class apart - far superior, gripping and compulsive and highly readable.' (HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER )
'John Connor's day job as a barrister involves heading up a team responsible for the prosecution of serious crime - experience that shows in this novel's meticulous attention to detail and complex characterisation.' (DAILY RECORD )
'... a fast-moving police procedural by a writer who knows his stuff.' (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
'a class apart - far superior, gripping and compulsive and highly readable.' (HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER )
HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER
'a class apart - far superior, gripping and compulsive and highly readable.'
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
She was with her mummy again. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
She was with her mummy again. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A superb police procedural,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Playroom (Hardcover)
In 'The Playroom', John Connor has used his intimate knowledge of police procedures and operations to create a convincing and enthralling account of an investigation into a missing child. The daughter of a judge has been abducted, and while the investigation into her disappearance is detailed and fascinating, the more interesting plot strand concerns DC Karen Sharpe (who Connor introduced in his debut novel, 'Phoenix'), who is delving into a 'recovered memory' rape case from ten years before. As the novel progresses, these strands are brought together for a satisfying (if bloody) conclusion.Karen Sharpe is an excellent creation: scarred by her experiences undercover in Northern Ireland and flawed as a human being. She doesn't behave in the way we'd expect a more standard, 'comfortable' series character to, and even takes a little warming to. But in the end she is dogged and brave (and downright 'hard') enough to earn the reader's respect. The background characters are well-drawn, and Connor has a knack for including enough convincing detail on crime-scenes and briefings to keep us hooked in the investigations without overloading the plot. The pace is relentless and the book's plot and pared-down, well-written prose never sag. (And other residents of Leeds will gain extra pleasure from spotting all the real-life places used throughout the novel). All in all, this stands head and shoulders above most recent police procedurals - although a few scenes may well shock the more casual reader. Connor, to his credit, never shies away from the effects of violence, and the way events pan out is more often realistic than simple or easy. But if you can handle a fascinating, detailed, dark thriller, then you should enjoy 'The Playroom' immensely.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great thriller,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Playroom (Hardcover)
This is a terrific crime thriller, that keeps the momentum going from start to finish. The procedural knowledge of the author is top-notch, but he never lays it on too thick. It does not clog up the works and the procedure is there to advance the plot, not to show how clever (or well-researched) the novel is, which makes a refreshing change. Karen Sharpe is developing nicely from PHOENIX, the first in the series, and you feel that she is just about holding it together in this book. She is certainly a complicated and complex protagonist. I thoroughly recommend this novel, and John Connor is one to watch.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not too trying, because it doesn't try,
By zen dog "at your service" (just over here) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Playroom (Hardcover)
Although the writing is competent - by which I mean that it doesn't seem amateurish or contrived - it isn't very exciting, both in the sense that it isn't terribly imaginative, and that it seems to want very much to avoid anything "difficult". Connor doesn't seem interested in bringing anything to the genre that isn't already tried, trusted, accepted and anticipated. It won't be a complete waste of time if you're looking for some brain candy, but it isn't a revelatory read, either.
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