Always looking for a new author - delighted to find Tom Neale.
It may take a couple of pages to get into the style - but not to get into the story, which grabbed me from the first paragraph.
The writing style is pacy and engaging, and the plot twists and turns throughout. Lots of interesting, and relevant, meanders.
The characters are certainly developed enough to understand - but left just shady enough for you to imagine the detail.
Celeste and her high-class working friends are intriguing.... and more central to the plot than I realised.
Vincent Piper, the main character, is interesting - leaves you wanting to know more.
The plot is complex enough to keep you thinking and reading all the way through.
I think that Tom Neale uses a brilliant mix of US and UK classic styles, with a contemporary edge. I hadn't come across his stuff before this book, but bought the next novel, Copper Kiss, in hardback at the airport to find out what happened to Vincent Piper next... and would say that Copper Kiss is even better than Steele Rain. Is there more on the way? Vincent Piper feels like a character with more of a story to tell.
Great read, highly recommend both Steele Rain and Copper Kiss.
