Dead Famous is one of Elton’s earlier novels and without being too unkind, it shows - lacking some of the depth of his later books - but that doesn’t mean it’s not a cracking read.
In Elton’s version of the Big Brother house, someone has been killed - live on television and in front of not just a camera crew but .millions of viewers. It should be an open and shut case, unfortunately the camera has somehow failed to capture the identity of the killer.
An ageing copper, old before his time, who finds the whole concept
of reality tv completely alien, is given the mammoth task of discovering who was responsible for one of the contestant’s deaths, but when the killer threatens to strike again, quickly he finds time running out as the show gets closer and closer to its final episode.
This was quite a clever book, and the themes covered here are just as relevant today thanks to the likes of such shows as Love Island,
but the writing style certainly felt a little rough in places when
compared to his later work.
I did enjoy it, but Mr. Elton’s writing has definitely improved with age.
Time and time again is a much more accomplished read, and perhaps one of the best time travel thrillers that I have ever read.
Hugh Stanton is still grieving after the death of his wife and child
in a hit and run when he is asked to celebrate Christmas with one of his former professors. Once there, she asks him the question of when he would go, if he could go back in time, if he had the chance to change one thing the could affect the present.
After much discussion, the professor eventually tells him she is part of a group who intend to do exactly that.
They have discovered that in just a few weeks, a wormhole will open up that could potentially take someone back to the days and weeks just before the start of The First World War, and their intention is to change history for the better.
And they want HIM to be the one to do it.
Of course, as is often the case, things aren’t always as easy as they seem...
This is a really clever book with a couple of very neat twists towards the end that I, for one, never saw coming.
To say it is one of the best books by Elton that I have read so far is an understatement and this is a novel that comes highly recommended!
Finally, book 26 in my list of books read this far, is Killers Choice by Ed McBain - another in his popular 87th Precinct series.
A woman is killed in what appears to be an off-licence robbery gone wrong, but as the detectives examine the life of the victim, they soon discover that everyone who knew her had a very different opinion of her and there is no shortage of suspects as to who might have committed the crime.
This is another classic crime thriller from veteran crime writer, Ed McBain and once again, a real joy to read.
Havilland, the cop who in previous books has become known for being a bit quick with his fists, finally gets his comeuppance, but the way he is written out does feel a bit underwhelming if I’m honest. Where this book is notable,
however, is for its introduction of Cotton Hawes who, as long time fans of this series will know, in later books will become one of the main cast of characters that frequent this series.
I’m really enjoying revisiting the 87th, and this is another great entry in the series.
Hopefully very soon, I will be able to pick up some more...
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