The Frog and the Scorpion [Paperback]

As a book this is of low quality in every possible way, and only likely to live long in the memory for that very reason. I can only regard it as feeble and amateurish, its weak points being the prose, the monotonous dialogue which reads like the same character throughout, and the grammar and punctuation which is of a generally low standard - I doubt that the author passed his 11+ (it may have been written at about that time, actually). The biggest failing though - and it's a common one - is of the creation of characters that the reader either cares little about or feels that they have been seen in dozens of other similar books in times past. A lack of originality, then, compounded by clichéd characters (particularly the bad guys) and emotional detachment. For me, anyway.

Although this is not a police procedural - there are no detectives here - I was vaguely reminded of some Simon Kernick novels that I have read in the past, which depend largely on pacey action and little else, except that Kernick is a more accomplished writer all round. Coming down a notch I was also reminded of Stuart MacBride in overall quality, I have to say though that if Steevan Glover keeps this standard up, I would even grab a MacBride novel for comfort - and I never thought I would say that! At least MacBride can create amusingly colourful characters, even if they are absurdly OTT. In The Frog and The Scorpion there are no such redeeming features as humour or irony, as the author clearly does not have the wherewithal to create them.

In all honesty though it's complete rubbish, a long long way behind the best or even average, including first-timers, in the business. Even debutants can hit the spot first time out; in recent months I have enjoyed excellent crime fiction novels from the likes of Ryan David Jahn, Karen Campbell and David Levien, so it most certainly is possible for a new author to produce a great novel and hit the ground running. The novel under review here is most definitely not great, and would-be buyers need to be aware that not all reviews here are legitimate or neutral - some are 'shill' reviews that have been posted by people (or a single person) with a vested interest in this book either personally or financially. Seeing that it currently languishes at number 711,458 in book sales (one of the lowest I have ever seen) it obviously needs a boost from somewhere.

:EDIT: In fact, sales have now slumped even further to 722,916 making it one of the most unwanted books of any kind on Amazon. You can't argue with the numbers, even if many of the rave reviews are highly suspect.

I would like to add that this book was originally supplied to me by the author - following a request by him to review his book. Several other reviewers were also offered a free copy. I accepted the offer but as always I posted my review explaining what I thought about it with no punches pulled. What then followed (back in 2009) was another request from the author - this time to edit my review because he thought it was too harsh. I did remove some comments and he promptly thanked me for that. What has niggled me more, however, are all the 'shill' reviews which the author has ackowledged the existence of - for example some reviews, so he has told me, were posted by his brother and his father. The very fact that shill reviews are posted always motivates me more to get the message across, and so too does 'spite voting' as has been the case with my own review in March 2012. A book with a sales rank of 722,916 is clearly being looked at by hardly anyone at all, yet my review is constantly peppered with 'unhelpful' votes. That's a clear indication of someone with a vested interest in the sales of this novel trying to silence my opinion. It's happened several times before and sadly it will happen again. I expect hardly anyone will read this other than the author and his cronies; the message I have for them is, you are only embarrassing yourselves by trying to interfere with the reviewing process. It can only backfire. I would urge the author to adopt a more professional attitude - even the most successful writers get bad press but the best amongst them take it on the chin and accept that this is part of the writing business. You stand up to get knocked down.

This is a London gangster novel, think Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or most Guy Ritchie films. The traditional London gangs are facing threats from their business from the new kids on the block from Eastern Europe and beyond and it is about to get very messy. Into this volatile mix walk innocents Adam and Jake - seeing an opportunity they decide to make the best of the situation, but are they smart enough to survive as things start to spiral out of control?

Fast paced, with bursts of both violence and humour, this is without doubt a good page turner and deserving of a much wider audience. The author provides vivid descriptions of the characters along with appropriate personality. It's nice to see the dark side of London portrayed in thrillers like this one, Duncan Campbell's "Let it Bleed" and the Simon Kernick novels. There are minor flaws as to be expected from a first novel (Adam's motivation switches from infatuation to greed a little quickly for instance) but these are outweighed by a plot that fairly whips along.

I am also obviously a bit slow as I had been wondering about the title and I was well into the book when I remembered it originated in a fable and realised how clever a title it actually was.

The Frog and the Scorpion is a debut novel that will entertain the reader, but also suggests that this will be an author to keep an eye out for. I was lucky enough to be given a review copy, but this review is based on my honest opinion having read the novel. I enjoyed it and will certainly look out for the next one from Steevan Glover.

In the gangster world of South London, financed by drugs, prostitution and protection money, there is a strict hierarchy of control. But power is passing from the traditionally English villains to newer ethnic gangsters from the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. The Frog and the Scorpion sees two intelligent but naive and criminally unsophisticated friends drawn into this explosive underworld, pitching their cunning against the arrogance and brutality of the established order.

This is a good airplane read. It's plausible and well paced with lots of action, believable characterisation and strong dialogue. The concept and humour are in the style of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but the plot has its own arc and holds the reader's interest right until the end.

It is not hard to imagine this story about clever but morally ambiguous amateurs vs evil, bumbling professionals turning into a movie.

This review is based on a copy provided for reviewing purposes, but my comments are genuine and based on having read the book.