Crusher
Niall Leonard
Publication date: September 11th 2012
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
The day Finn Maguire discovers his dad bludgeoned to death in a pool of blood, his dreary life is turned upside down. Prime suspect in his father’s murder, Finn must race against time to clear his name and find out who hated his dad enough to kill him.
Scouring the sordid, brutal London underworld for answers, exposing dark family secrets, and facing danger at every turn, Finn is about to learn that it’s the people you trust who can hit you the hardest…
When I first heard or Crusher I had never heard of it or of the author before, and when looking deeper into it I was surprised to find out the author is actually EL James’ (50 Shades) husband. This left me both intrigued and worried. Having been put off of 50 Shades simply from excerpts that made me cringe, I was hoping Niall would be able to create a story that was compelling and exciting, and hopefully void of bizarre tampon scenes.
Well, I can assure you there are, in fact, no tampons! A big reason *could be* probably because our main character is male. Finn comes home to find him father dead one evening, after the cops make him a suspect, he decides to take matters into his own hand and find his father’s killer. This promises a heck of a lot of excitement, great action, and hopefully some awesome twists. To my great disappointment it did not deliver in either of these points.
Unless… unless you call Finn working, then working again, then getting fired, then working. Oh wait, it’s a little exciting when he breaks into some crime boss’s yard, but that doesn’t last very long and he’s working again. Washing dishes! All that steam! That hot, sweaty dishwasher! Yeah… no. Not exciting. When he isn’t working, he’s planning his father’s funeral. Talking to funeral directors. Funeral arrangement… very sexy… Then wait, Finn trips, and oops, he stumbles on a trail to his father’s killer! That was so convenient!
Let’s just say, I did not find this very exciting. In case some of your are a little on the slow side.
The investigation itself involves a crime lord of some type, clues that seem to appear out of sheer luck more than anything, and a whole slew of stereotypical characters that felt like cardboard cut outs of any crime movie. Digging in clues is what’s the most fun in a crime novel. You go along with the characters and try to figure out what happened. The way Niall goes about clues and twists are too coincidental to make it really captivating. Moreover, there’s never any real feeling of danger or suspense. Instead of being scared, I was baffled by the characters’ actions. Stupidity will never be suspenseful, only irritating, and slightly amazing.
So why did I give this book 2-stars? Well, I finished it. It kept my interest; I was hoping it would eventually get thrilling, and I was kept curious throughout, wanting to know who the killer was. So it is a decent premise, with an interesting male protagonist who could have a lot of depth if the author gave him a likeable personality, or any personality at all to be honest. The lack of consistency in the writing and sporadic pacing clearly killed the whole plot for me. But hey, why don’t you try it out? *hands over book forcefully*
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| 2 Espressos |
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No, thank you. I’m definitely not going to read this book. The blurb sounds okay, but I don’t like it. Annoying choices, no suspense; I think I’m going to pass. At least this book doesn’t have those awkward scenes :p
Thanks for the honest review! It was helpful 🙂
Jenea Whittington
I was a little curious about this one, but wasn’t really sure. I have avoided the 50 Shades series, and atleast now I feel a bit better knowing that I am not alone for not reading it. 🙂 Thanks for a really great honest review, and I think I will leave this one alone. It doesn’t sounds like my cup of tea.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
Amy
Lol! Dying at your review!! You are just awesome! I guess if I want to read about someone working, then I will pick this up. You know, and boring characters. That’s something I always love to read. 😉 Great honest review chicky!!
kimbacaffeinate
*bangs head on desk, repeatedly* O.o I have this scheduled for review next month, and its next in my reading schedule…well I will attempt it, but if I cannot connect I will DNF after reading your thoughts..
Christina
Extended scenes of dishwashing? Really? REALLY?
Where’s the giant tampon monster? We totally planned out this insanely gruesome horror mystery book and he didn’t take advantage of that at all. What a waste!
Savannah Bookswithbite
Ehh, not sure if this book is for me. It seems as though I may not like it. Thanks for sharing!
Liesel K Hill
Interesting. Thanks for the review! 😀
Kris (Imaginary Reads)
I agree with your review. The book kept me interested to the end; however, it was pretty bland on the whole. The characters don’t have much personality, and it never really got thrilling, though it’s selling as a thriller.
Megan K.
E.L. James’ husband? Whoa. But anyway. Merh. This book sounds disappointing. :/ I’m glad you were able to finish it, but a BORING MC, and all-too-convenient plot? No, thanks.
But, haha, HILARIOUS REVIEW. Thanks for all the honesty… and sarcasm, Giselle! xP
Camille Picott
Huh. So intrigued by the author’s connection to 50 Shades, which I know there is no way I could ever read. 🙂 Sorry this book wasn’t very entertaining!
russell1200
“Washing dishes! All that steam! That hot, sweaty dishwasher!”
It sounds like you have dishwashing issues. Are the stacks threatening to spill out of the sink past the countertops and onto the floor? 🙂
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
I am glad to find someone who agrees with me! This book was one I was really excited for so I felt very disappointed that it flopped so hard!
Thanks for the review that left me giggling! 😀
Soma Rostam
Well, honestly, this book doesn’t sound promising.
I haven’t read Fifty Shades, but planning to, soon, maybe. I don’t know. I never feel myself interested in these supposed-to-be “Sexy” scenes.
I have heard of many movies and books about the same concept of this one. But i am disappointed that the author couldn’t deliver a true original story.
Gonna skip this one, “hand back book” 😛
An honest, lovely review, Giselle
Your constant reader,
Soma
http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/
Jenni @ Alluring Reads
No tampons! *high five* But it sounds like maybe some tampons could have spiced this one up a bit. I’m not sure if I would prefer that or hot sweaty dishes, definitely a toss up. I’m happy you gave this one a go so I don’t have to, because I probably would have picked it up based on the cover. Great honest review!
Lauren M
Yeah, the 50 Shades-hubby thing definitely turned me away from this one. But I’m happy to hear it wasn’t…awful? Haha. I’ll probably skip Crusher, since I like my mystery/thrillers to be more thrilling. Thanks for the review!
– Lauren
Jessi (Geo)
Baha I love you. I think I’ll pass on this one 🙂
Ali @ Ginger-read
*groan*
This sounds quite horrible. The synopsis leads you to believe your in for an action packed thriller…sounds like maybe it lied. Unless there is someone out there who really does find steamy dishwater thrilling, you never know! 😉
~Sara @ Just Another Story
I get really frustrated with poor plots. Not that I am sure anyone likes them. But it makes me question why the book was published and so on. I will not be reading this novel. Ever!
Thanks for your review,
Sara @ Just Another Story