The Long Count: A John Q Mystery - Softcover

Gulvin, JM

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0571323790 ISBN 13: 9780571323791

Publisher: Faber & Faber, 2016

Synopsis

A page-turning psychological puzzle for fans of Shutter Island and True Detective

'The detail is unerring ... and this magisterial grasp of time and place lends the story vivid veracity. The characters leap off the page and the plotting is faultless.' JOHN BOORMAN (Director of Point Blank and Deliverance)

'I loved this book: it has such a subtle sense of place, the clear writing pulls you in right from the start, and its ingenious plot line is both shocking and inevitable.' ANN CLEEVES

In the late 1960s, with America at war in Vietnam, John Q is an old school Texas Ranger - a gun on each hip and quick on the draw. Called to the apparent suicide of a fellow war veteran, John Q suspects all is not as it seems, and very soon faces a desperate race across state as he starts to uncover just how dark some secrets can be.

About this title

Review

I loved this book: it has such a subtle sense of place, the clear writing pulls you in right from the start, and its ingenious plot line is both shocking and inevitable. (ANN CLEEVES)

Atmospheric. The opening chapter.instantly grabs the reader's attention, and sets the pulse a racing for what is to follow.Highly recommended. (Raven Crime Reads)

[A]n excellent psychological thriller set in the South East United States ... [which] will appeal to all those who enjoyed the first season of True Detective . John Q is an excellent and empathetic detective. (Trip Fiction)

Full of red herrings, beautiful descriptions of the American Deep South, moments where you find your pulse is racing a little because you just know something is going to be said or done . a fantastic appetite-whetting beginning to a series. (Bibliophile Bookclub Random Things Through My Letterbox)

[B]rilliantly addictive ... beautifully written multi layered storytelling... The mystery elements are wonderful, slow burning intricate plotting that keeps things flowing yet allows you to take stock and really feel the events as they unfold ... every moment of The Long Count was a joy to read. John Quarrie as a character is brilliantly drawn - if this keeps up he could easily become one of my favourite literary characters, principled and sincere, intelligent and appealing. As a reader you are more than happy to follow him down the rabbit hole into the darker layers of human nature. What a way to open a series - and thank heavens it is exactly that - because I want more. (Liz Loves Books)

[Gulvin] beautifully captures the texture of Southwestern USA in this outstanding crime thriller ... The dust and heat of Texas was almost tangible, along with a creeping sense of unease as the truth starts scratching through. There's a spare elegance to Gulvin's storytelling and prose, a deceptive . A delicious and satisfying South(west)ern Gothic tale. (Crime Watch)

The writing has an evocative atmosphere of the time and place . the characters are all well rounded . a page turning good read. (Nudge)

[A] wonderfully atmospheric whodunit...excellent. (Paul Diggett Good Reads)

Resembles some of James Lee Burke's or James Sallis' work in setting, style and atmosphere (although Gulvin's has a side-serving or horror). (New Zealand Herald)

Book Description

Could you face your darkest fears?

About this edition

• Publisher: Faber & Faber
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0571323790
• ISBN 13: 9780571323791
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336