Product Description

Ever really felt like killing someone?London crime novelist Matt Wells has dumped by his agent, his publisher and his wife, he has more revenge fantasies than most.But when Matt is contacted by a serial killer called the 'White Devil', he is horrified to discover that this evil force knows everything about him, his family, friends - and his enemies.Then the slaughter begins and Matt's idle fantasies are made all too real. If Matt can't stop the White Devil in time, all those people Matt really hates are about to meet a chilling fate...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9238 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 410 pages

Review
'The Death List is white knuckle stuff and like all good roller-coaster rides it's fast, furious and twisted as hell. --Mark Billingham

'A thrilling, blackly funny read from one of mystery fiction's brightest stars.' --John Connolly

...a ferocious thriller...this is one of the best reads so far this year. --Observer

Synopsis
Ever really felt like killing someone?London crime novelist Matt Wells has dumped by his agent, his publisher and his wife, he has more revenge fantasies than most.But when Matt is contacted by a serial killer called the 'White Devil', he is horrified to discover that this evil force knows everything about him, his family, friends - and his enemies.Then the slaughter begins and Matt's idle fantasies are made all too real. If Matt can't stop the White Devil in time, all those people Matt really hates are about to meet a chilling fate...

About the Author
Paul Johnston was born in Edinburgh and educated there and at Oxford. He is the author of nine crime novels, the first of which, Body Politic, won the British Crime Writers' Association John Creasey Memorial Dagger for Best First Novel. He has also won the Sherlock Award for Best Detective Novel. He now spends much of his time in Greece. He is married to a Greek and has recently become a father for the second time. The Death List is the first in a series featuring Matt Wells. For more information on Paul, visit www.paul-johnston.co.uk.

Customer Reviews

Literally unbelieveable...
After quite enjoying Bone Yard and Body Politic - which at least tried to be a bit different, I bought this to read on a long flight. I literally haven't read a worse book. Other have commented on the throwaway use of things like 'knock out gas' - even the writer couldnt be bothered actually establishing a chemical compound. The 'twist' was obvious from thr first chapter, just ask yourself which character isnt given much background. The protagonist had a very handy set of friends, which was very convenient, one worked with demolition so could use explosives (and just happened to have a Glock pistol), one could hack into offshore banks from an internet cafe - although in fairness it took him over an hour, cos, you know, they've got so much security and that - one was an ex para, most had second homes to act as safe houses, etc. etc. As well as that, all of his acquaintances - not just friends, but ex employers - agreed to go on holiday to stay safe at his request, with no explanation from him.

With no exceptions, this is the worst book I have ever read, and I only finished it because it was either that or watch Iron Man for the third time - that and a sense of morbid curiosity. Truthfully, I'm no genius, and not that difficult to please, but this is poorly researched, cliche ridden, amateur and not even worth the £0.01 used.

Bloody good
I read this book when it first came out about a year ago and i found, like everyone else that it, as stated on the back,"isnt for the faint hearted". despite this warning however i read it and loved every single page of it. its an incredible page turner and the story grasped me from the very beggining to the very end, leaving me feeling depressed because there wasnt a sequel. it is a book that i could easily read again and find connections and story theads not noticed initially. by the end of the book i felt as though i knew Matt Wells personally and i found myself intrigued by his personallity and blood thirsty to "spend more time with him."
i am now reading the second book in the series and am in no way dissapointed. this book promises to be even better that the first one.

read it. you will not regret it.

This is a bit cliched
A crime novelist writes a novel about a crime novelist writing a crime novel at the behest of a criminal. This book has layers of implausibility at the outset and, as such, would probably have worked better as a black comedy spoof, however it is a bit too nasty for that.

When the crime novelist narrator starts telling us - in first person - that the new crime novel he's writing - at the behest of the criminal - is gritty and real, then you really do have a credibility gap. He says the characters are real and not cliches and, well, they're cliches.

There are a couple of pungent observations on the world of crime writing, but, really, anyone faced with the dilemma the protagonist is faced with would call the police. If he calls the police, then he is no longer central protagonist, therefore he doesn't call the police. Logic gone.

I, like other reviewers, am fascinated that Mark Billingham and John Connolly put their names on positive quotes. Did they read it? I don't think Billingham is that great - though as a Spurs fan deserves praise - and the last couple of Charlie Parker John Connolly's have been, er, 'out there' would cover it. Nevertheless unless they are getting well-paid for the names appearing, I think they should exercise a bit of due diligence.

This book is really quite silly and not fun silly, but irritating silly.