"It all came back. With a bang. Another one." Danny McColl's career as a Glasgow lawyer doesn't start too well. A broken nose and a trip to the hospital. It will get worse. He doesn't yet realise the havoc his personal search for retribution will unleash. Taking revenge on his assailants, and driven by a need to make up for his part in the death of his alcoholic father, he takes on the Finches, a family of thugs that terrorise his new neighbours. In doing so he reveals the truth behind the mysterious life of The Beatle Man with tragic, violent consequences...
The Beatle Man
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By m mckay
Format:Paperback
I have to admit that when I picked this book up I wasn't entirely sure that it was my cup of tea, but once I started reading I couldn't stop. There's a lot to take in at first, but as things start falling into place you just can't help yourself reading a little more, and a little more...and a little more!
For anyone who is fond of Irvine Welsh or Iain Banks, it's definitely worth a read. There's plenty of giggles in there and bucketloads of intrigue - it keeps you guessing right up to the last chapter.
Click that Buy Button and enjoy, and in the meantime I'm holding out for Book #2!
For anyone who is fond of Irvine Welsh or Iain Banks, it's definitely worth a read. There's plenty of giggles in there and bucketloads of intrigue - it keeps you guessing right up to the last chapter.
Click that Buy Button and enjoy, and in the meantime I'm holding out for Book #2!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's a tricky business, this book reviewing lark.
Too harsh a review and you come across as an embittered never was, a non-writer who's jealous of those who can. Too nice and you sound like a mewling sycophant!
Luckily, this book - without being perfect - is obviously not rubbish but rather is an effectively written and tightly plotted thriller somewhat in the Rebus mode.
It starts well, with a firm authorial hand on the tiller as the narrative kicks off in faintly comedic strain. The various characters are introduced in a steady early stream and each proves to be engaging and interesting, while the central conceit of the title (a presumably mentally ill man who speaks only in Beatles' lyrics, and the effect his passage through life has on those around him) is just odd enough to hold the attention.
All of which would be worthless if the plot was weak or uninvolving. Fortunately, the story of how Danny McColl collides with the terrible Finch family and appoints himself a sort of weirdly ineffectual protector for those who live in his new stair (including the Beatle Man) is well told by the author and comes to a satisfyingly twisted conclusion which ties up every loose end.
Don't get me wrong: like I said at he start, this book isn't perfect. There is perhaps a slight tendency to lean in the direction of caricature (Asian shopkeeper, Glaswegian wideboy, posh lawyer who likes a drink and the ladies and so on) and the writing does at times seem unsure if it wants to be a more chatty, less idiotic Irvine Welsh or a 'proper' gritty crime novel, but these failings - such as they are - are never enough to adversely effect the narrative.
All in all, this is both an excellent first novel and a good novel full-stop.
Too harsh a review and you come across as an embittered never was, a non-writer who's jealous of those who can. Too nice and you sound like a mewling sycophant!
Luckily, this book - without being perfect - is obviously not rubbish but rather is an effectively written and tightly plotted thriller somewhat in the Rebus mode.
It starts well, with a firm authorial hand on the tiller as the narrative kicks off in faintly comedic strain. The various characters are introduced in a steady early stream and each proves to be engaging and interesting, while the central conceit of the title (a presumably mentally ill man who speaks only in Beatles' lyrics, and the effect his passage through life has on those around him) is just odd enough to hold the attention.
All of which would be worthless if the plot was weak or uninvolving. Fortunately, the story of how Danny McColl collides with the terrible Finch family and appoints himself a sort of weirdly ineffectual protector for those who live in his new stair (including the Beatle Man) is well told by the author and comes to a satisfyingly twisted conclusion which ties up every loose end.
Don't get me wrong: like I said at he start, this book isn't perfect. There is perhaps a slight tendency to lean in the direction of caricature (Asian shopkeeper, Glaswegian wideboy, posh lawyer who likes a drink and the ladies and so on) and the writing does at times seem unsure if it wants to be a more chatty, less idiotic Irvine Welsh or a 'proper' gritty crime novel, but these failings - such as they are - are never enough to adversely effect the narrative.
All in all, this is both an excellent first novel and a good novel full-stop.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Firstly I would like to say that this book was so unputdownable, I deliberately took a bus ride home from a meeting that I knew would take me an hour and a half, rather than the train, just so I could carry on reading this novel!
The Beatle Man tells the story of a young Glasgow lawyer who finds himself embroiled in a strange world which initially is disjointed and confusing but over the course of the novel the many threads became entwined and the story and all becomes clear. Danny, the protagonist is rather young, dumb and full of.....himself and at times you find yourself exasperated at how stupid he is but that isn't a criticism of the author more a reflection of how young men operate.
The book reminds me at time of Bedroom Secrets of the Masterchefs by Irvine Welsh and indeed Liddell's writing is very similar to Welsh but without the `Scottishness'. It is full of hooks and twists and turns that keeps you reading until the end and despite Danny's boneheadedness, you can't help but like him and stick with him.
I can truly say this book was a joy to read - not too long, funny in parts, touching in others. I can't recommend it enough.
The Beatle Man tells the story of a young Glasgow lawyer who finds himself embroiled in a strange world which initially is disjointed and confusing but over the course of the novel the many threads became entwined and the story and all becomes clear. Danny, the protagonist is rather young, dumb and full of.....himself and at times you find yourself exasperated at how stupid he is but that isn't a criticism of the author more a reflection of how young men operate.
The book reminds me at time of Bedroom Secrets of the Masterchefs by Irvine Welsh and indeed Liddell's writing is very similar to Welsh but without the `Scottishness'. It is full of hooks and twists and turns that keeps you reading until the end and despite Danny's boneheadedness, you can't help but like him and stick with him.
I can truly say this book was a joy to read - not too long, funny in parts, touching in others. I can't recommend it enough.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
4.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
ughh
i thought there were bits missing from this book hard to make sense,managed to finish it but just thought urgh what was that about
Published 6 months ago by Richard Clarke
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story, good ending
Scott crafts an interesting array of characters and weaves them into an enjoyable story with plenty of intrigue and laughs. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Giles Guthrie
4.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent debut novel
I enjoyed this book. I found myself looking forward to read the next chapter, to find out what happens. The characters are all believable and realistic. Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2010 by Maria Savva
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really good read, really bad publishing
This book is difficult to put down, it keeps you reading due to suspense and intrigue from the start. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2009 by Campbell79
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book, poor proof reading
I agree with most of the comments, but this book is littered with page upon page of spelling, typo and grammatical errors which should have been picked up before publishing. Read more
Published on 23 Mar 2009 by J. McEwan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great promise from a new writer...
An imaginatively complex plot, an array of interesting characters and the wit and turn of phrase to go with it, result in an entertaining debut from Scott Liddell. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by J. Moakler
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Stuff
I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from start to finish. The threads are brought together well with some well-placed misdirection adding to the enjoyment. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2008 by R. Reffin
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's gritty. You feel for the lad.
For a first novel, it's a very good effort and well worth a try. It's not the longest read, but will keep you flicking the pages wanting more.
Published on 23 Jun 2008 by David Loudon
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
