The Playroom
and over one 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? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details
|
More About the Author
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 ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
'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 ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER
'a class apart - far superior, gripping and compulsive and highly readable.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
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
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Format: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
Format: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.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Unlikable Police
Interesting story, quite a lot of action, and tension.
It is however very hard indeed to believe that individual police officers flatly disobey direct orders as... Read more
It is however very hard indeed to believe that individual police officers flatly disobey direct orders as... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Troy Beal
The Karen Sharpe Investigations - Excellent
After discovering "Phoenix", I am hooked on the DC Karen Sharpe investigations.
I couldn't put "The Playroom" down, it's exciting, full of tension with a fast pace that... Read more
I couldn't put "The Playroom" down, it's exciting, full of tension with a fast pace that... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2008 by S. Lloyd
Playroom
The way the dual story line runs side by side but keeps you guessing to the last minute is truly fantastic. A thoroughly good read. Read more
Published on 19 April 2006 by D. Smith
Fantastic
This was a great book. One of those that you just can't stop reading. If you have not read any of his books, read this one. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2006 by Sharon
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
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.
|
