The Beatle Man [Kindle Edition]

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!

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.

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.

This book is difficult to put down, it keeps you reading due to suspense and intrigue from the start. I agree with other reviewers in that it is similar to Irvine Welsh as a gritty read with intermingling story lines which are cleverly tied up at the end. The characters are well thought out and the story flows and is very easy to read. Very good - I would certainy read more by this gifted author. Highly recommended.

However, the publishers of this book should hang their heads in shame as they have not even bothered to proof-read or edit this story. It is absolutely full of grammatical errors which somewhat detracts from the reading itself. The typist struggles with the difference between "where" and "were", "you're" and "your", "of" and "off", "new" and "knew". Not to mention the dropped letters and words added into sentences. If I was Scott M. Liddell and I had managed to write a book as well thought out as The Beatle Man, I would feel very let down by Closed Loop Publishing.

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. The plot is wonderful with many twists and turns, and highly original in parts.
Danny McColl is a Glasgow lawyer just starting out in his legal career. When he moves into his new flat, which comes with his new job, things take a sinister, dark, and terrifying turn. Danny meets the neighbours from hell who have been making the locals' lives a misery for years. Due to unresolved issues from his youth, Danny decides to take the role of peacekeeper and wants to rid the area of the family who have been causing all the problems. He sets about doing this, unaware of the deeper and more dangerous secrets lurking under the surface in the small community.
The book shows how one tragic event can change the course of someone's life for ever, and how the tendency for people to sweep things under the carpet and not deal with their issues can lead to greater and more serious problems in the future.
Mental illness, crime, anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol addiction, violence, guilt, dysfunctional families, tragedy, relationships, love. You will find all those themes and more in this excellent debut novel.
The mysterious 'Beatle Man' is both comical and terrifying. He speaks only in the lyrics of Beatles songs... a facsinating character. To find out more about him you'll have to read this very modern, engrossing story.
The reason I'm not giving the book 5 stars is mainly due to editorial issues; things that could be cleared up by someone proofreading the book before publication.... There are many typos throughout the book and although they are minor and did not distract from my enjoyment of the story, one of the character's surnames was inconsistent throughout the novel which was distracting for me. Also, there were a few sentences which I didn't really understand... they seemed not to fit into the story. I think that the author has a tendency to leave a bit too much to the reader's imagination. Sometimes things have to be explained. I know that some authors go too far with this, but in 'The Beatle Man' I sometimes felt that I was not being told everything and it was a bit frustrating. Also, at times it is hard to tell which character is speaking during the conversations in the book.
On the whole, the book was very well written and for a debut -- considering the complexity of the storyline -- it is exceptionally good.
I would recommend the book to everyone.
I will be looking out for more books by this talented writer in the future. Read more ›