Customer Reviews

Peril: A Ger Mayes Crime Novel

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ger Mayes is one of those types of guys who make some women try to tuck him beneath their wing so they can take care of him. Others will follow along and pray he gets exactly what he deserves. Whichever kind you end up being, you're sure to have a blast following this womanizing idiot as he gets himself into one bad mess after another, each one just slightly worse than the one before it. I didn't know whether to laugh, or groan and slap my forehead, thinking it a good idea to pull him by the ear in to see the shrink and glue him to the chair. It's hard to believe one man can make so many bad decisions and get into so much trouble and yet find a way to talk himself out of it. Or does he? You'll have to read PERIL for yourself to find out. Ladies, you may want to hide this one from your husbands. You wouldn't want to give them any ideas. Don't worry about the slow start in chapter one. Once Ger gets the ball rolling, he sets off an avalanche that no one can stop, not even Lady Luck herself. If you like a fast-paced thriller, PERIL is a fun ride I'm sure you'll enjoy.

A slow and slightly confusing start, but it keeps your interest, then the book explodes into one you can't put down. It twists and turns like a twisty turny thing.

A fantastic read, one of those rare books that keeps you guessing.

This is phenomenal writing. The author has an absolute knack for sketching out characters and pulling the reader into their lives and motivations. As a result the reader finds themselves sympathising with situations and decisions that they normally wouldn't.

I'll admit to varying between 4 & 5 stars on this one, because I've never met a character I disliked so much (Bella from Twilight doesn't come close). The main character in this book, Ger, made me want to reach through the pages and slap him, repeatedly - probably because I've had the misfortune to date similar types in my own life.

My normal response to a character I completely dislike is to close the book. However, Ruby Barnes has a knack for keeping you reading simply with the quality of his writing, and for me, the other characters in the book had me hooked.

A fine look at what people will - and won't - do in extraordinary circumstances, and a great study of living, working and dying in a gritty urban world. For me, the writing trumped the flaws in Ger, who seems to suffer from TSTL (too stupid to live)syndrome and an ego that could sink the Titanic all over again.

I loved this book. The main character is a bit of a bhoy but unlike a lot of leading men, he's not all bad, or all good. He's an inveterate womaniser and is constantly looking for easy ways to make a living. He's quite self-obsessed, as his friends seem to be able to surprise him quite a bit.
I love the way the plot expands from an initial moment of drunken idiocy to a web of intrigue and real peril for Ger and his 'loved ones.' Consistent characters with recognisable voices and well-observed office types. I read this in two sessions, only because I started it too near bedtime. Well-written and highly entertaining in a very dark way.

I loved this book. Had a great time reading it. Ger Mayes is the type of guy who appeals to my nature. Just the other side of being a good boy. He's an amusing character, a real lady's man, who never really sets off to do any harm, but once the ball starts rolling he can't seem to control things.I'm not doing a big spoiler here, you'll have to buy and read it for yourself. But buy it, do. You won't regret it. Looking forward to the next book by Ruby Barnes. :-)

I had little idea what to expect when I opened this book. From the teaser I suspected that it would probably be a suspense noir using Dublin as a setting and, in all honesty, there is a bit of that. But Ruby Barnes' writing style and story telling skills were a pleasant surprise. In Ger Mayes he has created complete scoundrel, with few redeeming qualities, that nonetheless steals the reader's heart. Ger is a person hopelessly self-centered who makes all the wrong moves and yet I found myself constantly hoping that he would extricate himself from the hopeless situations he instigates.

However, Ruby Barnes skills are not limited to the creation of a single, well-rounded, character. With the consummate ease of a born story teller, Mr. Barnes weaves a tale that draws the reader in. Through speech patterns and mannerisms, his characters develop distinct lives, while the threat of impending disaster locks the reader until the final page.

Mr Barnes has penned a tale that will stay with the reader long after the last word is read.

He's not the standard hero, he's not the typical male lead; he's a real man; about half as clever as he thinks he is, where thinking is a reaction, not an action.
One part of me thought he's too stupid for words, whereas the other part thought - there but for the grace of God....
A clever story, well told, with a good supporting cast round a character that defies pigeon-holing.

Ruby Barnes is a great narrator. His writing is very fluid and makes for an easy read. One would not expect to empathize with the main character Ger Mayes, but I actually found myself rooting for him and hoping things would work out. This is down to how real an insight Barnes manages to give into his character. Barnes' descriptions of Ger and his inflated ego are really amusing. This is a great read, I'd highly recommend it.

An excellent book, with a good plot and some vivid characters. Ruby Barnes delves beneath the surface of her people, especially Ger, and allows us to see the complex, confused man he really is. He's proud of himself and his opinions, and it takes several meetings with the lame guitar player who reminds him of his dad for all the ugly attitudes to spill out. The dinner party gives us our initial insight into Ger, and into the other people present, as he encourages Renee to flirt with him, and then begins an affair with her. When Jo reports that Renee is feeling sick, the reader naturally suspects that she is pregnant, an ironically probable outcome, as Ger wallows deeper and deeper into trouble, including murder. Barnes is a smooth, professional writer, and one who has a lot to say. Highly recommended.

From the cover, not what I expected. After the initial murder scene, a little slow...
In theory I shouldn't have liked this book quite so much, but I thoroughly enjoyed it on a number of levels. No... I loved it, absolutely loved it.
Serious crime thriller yes, but only on one level; Peril is so much more.
The cover and description makes this novel looks rather serious, and it is, but the laughs are there in bucket-loads. Barnes style reminds me in parts of Mark Haddon; that dry black humour, which when mixed thoroughly with some great descriptive observations, adds a dark, glittery poignancy to the narrative.
Had a good chuckle at the useless male protagonist trying to change the bed linen; in fact read this bit out loud to my other half who wanted to know what I was laughing at. (He recognised himself immediately.)
So, back to the serious story, there are some great action scenes and a surprisingly likable character in Ger Mayes. Surprisingly, because in truth Ger Mayes is a total waste of space. Somehow though, there is sufficient character depth in there by way of redemption to get us all rooting for him. There are some great emotive passages, cleverly disguised with the same, self depreciating humour.
Mayes manages to get himself into all sorts of bother with the ladies and some local misfits which escalates into a nightmare of affairs, drugs and debt. It's all cleverly woven together and it`s down to the author's skill that the reader fully engages with the central character, for despite his faults (and he has quite a few!) one can't help but hope he makes it in the end...but does he?