Home > Categories > Books > Thriller > Deep Fried review
'I am
empty,
itchy,
hot;
powered by Pissed Off and fuelled by made-to-last but not-to-keep ten dollar notes.'
Welcome to Pete's world. He doesn't mean to start anything. He's not asking for a fight. Or a stalker. Or the attention of the mighty PBs. But one small act of defiance is all it takes.
As tangled as the internet that snares him, as powerful as the corporation that will have it's revenge, as urgent as Sophie who will not be denied, DEEP FRIED is a sassy-sharp, adrenaline-fuelled thriller for the twenty-first century.
A stand-out novel featuring award-winning writer Bernard Beckett and the debut of Clare Knighton.
Product reviews...
This book states it is aimed at the teen market. I am a bit older than that, but I can usually enjoy any well-written story. This fits the bill nicely. With topical references that could easily have applied to well known brands, and situational drama that is all too close to real-life for teenagers today, this book was a bit of a wake-up call. There were references to medical studies that sound all-too-believable, such as the link between baby birth-weights and the incidence of heart conditions in adult years, and from a quick search online it appears that such linkages have and are being studied. This gave the book a much more 'real' feeling than many of this genre.
The plot elements all tie in nicely, and it's funny how circumstances can conspire to bring people together to fight for causes, be they political, ethical, emotional or financial causes. I found the story to be well constructed, it flowed smoothly, it had no glaring continuity issues, and actually had me thinking about some of the ways in which we live our lives in a constant state of "It'll be alright, just this once..." which of course leads to a 'coasting along and not really going anywhere' lifestyle.
I found I could understand the difference between 'being pissed off' and the 'Pissed Off' in this book, and also 'The Sadness' as a concept instead of a feeling. Anyone who has woken up with a dark cloud over them and no idea why, until later in the day, will also empathise with Pete throughout the story. I also agree with much of what Pete says when he is asked "What pisses you off?"
I really enjoyed this book, and can see that Clare has a bright future in writing novels if she decides to turn her full attention to it, especially with the guidance and mentorship of such a well-known and capable author as Bernard Beckett.
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