The Accident Man: Amazon.co.uk: Tom Cain: Books

Frequently Bought Together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

The Survivor

by Tom Cain

3.8 out of 5 stars (8) �4.29

Relentless

by Simon Kernick

3.5 out of 5 stars (147) �4.89

12:23: Paris. 31st August 1997

by Eoin McNamee

4.4 out of 5 stars (5) �9.59

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

by Stieg Larsson

4.1 out of 5 stars (162) �3.99

Gone Tomorrow

by Lee Child

4.1 out of 5 stars (81) �9.49

› Explore similar items

Product Description

Wilbur Smith
This is the best first thriller I have read since 'The Day of the Jackal'.

Lee Child
'Audacious, authentic, full of tension and tradecraft . . . a great thriller.

See all Product Description

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

thrillers(1)

See all 2 tags...

Customer Reviews

14 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (14 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE IT!!!!!!, 4 Jul 2007

By	H. Thomas - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book completely took me by surprise. I found the lead characters immediately engaging, and the arc of their relationship throughout the book was for me it's most compelling element. The delicacy with which the love story within the book is handled provides the perfect balance with the explosive action and adrenaline-pumped pace of the story itself. Cynics may imply that the book's theme is exploitative. I argue that it rather takes the daring approach of using a controversial topic merely as a starting point for a deeply interesting and mainly separate story. It has nothing whatsoever to to with Diana herself (her name isn't even mentioned), and I think that the author's bravery in risking the wrath of those who misinterprate the book's pith is to be respected.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting read, 3 Aug 2007

By	Hugh Davidson (British Isles) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you read the first ten pages of this book, you won't be able to put it down.It beats even John Grisham and Stephen King for excitement, reality, and entertainment, and is a Grade A thriller.
The big strengths of the book are the tightness of the plot, which takes you on a roller coaster ride full of surprises, while remaining believable; the succinctness of the writing, where every word counts and, unusually for me, I was never tempted to skip - the short, tautly written chapters of 3 to 4 pages are very effective and give the book continuing momentum; and the intelligence of the writing, which makes it satisfying to read.
This is a book I'm recommending to relatives and friends - Tom Cain looks set to become a big name in future.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Medicore, 1 Dec 2007

By	Julia Flyte - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The Accident Man is a mediocre thriller with an interesting premise: Samuel Carver is a freelance assassin who is hired to arrange a car accident in Paris in August 1997. (Because Carver is the hero of this book, Cain has made him an "assassin with principles" who only kills morally dubious targets like terrorists or pedophiles.) Unfortunately for Carver, he has been lied to in this instance and he finds out - too late - that his target was actually the Princess of Wales. Moreover, now that the job is done, someone is trying to kill him. His one ally is Alix, a glamorous Russian who is also on the run - but who may or may not be on his side.

The thing I liked most about this book is the grounding in an actual death (albeit one that I do not believe was an assassination). This gives it some sense of reality, something that is so often lacking in thrillers. The integration of Carver's fictional exploits with what we know about Diana's death is skillfully done. In fact, the first half of the book is great - it rips along at a cracking pace as Carver and Alix try to stay one step ahead of their pursuers.

But Tom Cain is unable to sustain the momentum and the action slows right down in the second half. The love story between Carver and Alix is formulaic and doesn't ring true. New characters are introduced seemingly for no reason other than to be killed off in the next chapter. And Carver - supposedly a hotshot hitman at the top of his game - makes a series of rash and/or poorly thought-through decisions that made me feel like hurling the book across the room in disgust.

The book ends in quite an unusual way for a thriller of this sort. Full credit to Cain for trying to write something a bit different, although I'm not sure it works. If you are after something lightweight and you're happy to disengage your brain, this is an okay choice. But keep your expectations low. I'd rate this on a par with the latter day Robert Ludlum novels (ie the ones that Ludlum didn't actually write).

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 14 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars I wish i had written this book.
This book is a great thriller. Highly readable a great mix of fiction and fact. Cain is brilliant at developing believable main characters. Read more

Published 16 months ago by William Neal

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit "Hollywood", but still a great read.
This book has an intersting premise - A car carsh in a Paris underpass and the most famous woman in the world is killed - we've all heard the story, and this book offers a... Read more

Published 16 months ago by Femmielala

3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to the hype
Admittedly the hype levelled at this book (almost as good as Forsyth, better than Grisham, etc) perhaps opens it up to unfair critiscism. Read more

Published 18 months ago by Pieterlewis

2.0 out of 5 stars Good opening, but weakens thereafter
This book has an opening based on a very good premise. The opening is also very fluid and fast paced. Thereafter though problems started to occur. Read more

Published 20 months ago by Emanon

5.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Thriller
In the Author's Note at the beginning of the novel, Cain is upfront in stating that his imagination has created this "what if? Read more

Published 21 months ago by S. Lloyd

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrills aside from the controversy!
There has been much controversy about this book and the timing of its release on the 10th anniversary of Diana's death - but that should not detract from this book by any measure:... Read more

Published 22 months ago by GilesB

5.0 out of 5 stars An intense thriller
I was never at all interested in the Diana conspiracy but I still found the book thoroughly exciting. Read more

Published 23 months ago by christopher

2.0 out of 5 stars Thought it a little feeble actually
Have read many of the thrillers discussed (Grisham, etc) - normally whilst lying on a sunlounger. This is similar to most - good fodder for wasting time but nothing too... Read more

Published 23 months ago by Mr. K. M. Chesters

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
I am not an avid reader, yet I read this book in less than 24hours. This is a fantastic book with enough facts in to make it very believable. Read more

Published 23 months ago by S. Phair

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!
I've just finished reading The Accident Man and I'm still pumping with adrenaline. I've never read such an exciting book - talk about a thriller!
Can't wait for the next one.

Published on 6 Jul 2007 by Paul Richards

› See all 14 customer reviews...

Listmania!

Highlights of recent fiction: A list by Heather "HF"
Ice cold crime: A list by jo "tooty2"
Whilst Waiting for the Next Steve Horsfall Novel: A list by Sunglasses

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Mystery
Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Thrillers
Books > Fiction

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.

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

Beauty without the Beast

Olay Regenerist Daily 3 Point Treatment Cream

From au naturel to party glam, we have all the best names in cosmetics and skincare.

›Discover Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Braun Series 3 390cc Clean & Renew System Rechargeable Foil Electric Shaver

Get in touch with your smooth side with Braun Series shavers, now with Gillette blade technology.

›Discover Braun Series at Amazon.co.uk

Treat Someone

With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates


Amazon Home

International Sites: United States \| Germany \| France \| Japan \| Canada \| China

Business Programs: Sell on Amazon \| Fulfilment by Amazon \| Join Associates \| Join Advantage

Customer Service \| Help \| View Basket \| Your Account

About Amazon.co.uk \| Careers at Amazon

The Accident Man (Hardcover)

Frequently Bought Together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Product details

Product Description

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Customer Reviews

Customer Discussions

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight

Start a new discussion

Listmania!

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Beauty without the Beast

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Treat Someone

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

	41% buy the item featured on this page: The Accident Man 3.9 out of 5 stars (14) �8.44
	33% buy The Accident Man 3.7 out of 5 stars (14) �5.49
	26% buy The Survivor 3.8 out of 5 stars (8) �4.29