The Solitary Man

Having not read anything by this author before, I wasn't sure what to expect. This was a fast-paced thrilled set in the murky world of the heroin trade, spanning South East Asia, America, Hong Kong and Northern Ireland. Escaped convict Hutch's new life is destroyed when an old prison comrade forces him to break out another man from a Thai jail. Interwoven with the main story there are horrifying vignettes of the other criminal activities surrounding the drugs trade. This dirty, shocking world was brutally portrayed in the narrative.
Despite the majority of the characters being morally dubious in some respect, the division between the 'good' and 'bad' characters becomes clear and I found myself rooting for one side. I very nearly cheered when my least favourite characters came to a sticky end!
The characterisation by the reader was excellent and really added to my enjoyment of the book. There are so many threads and characters that the use of accents helped bring each one to life.

The plot was good and while I often felt I had a fair idea where it was going next (and I turned out to be right), that didn't spoil my enjoyment because it got there with style. It was almost like you could see the outcome unfolding, like a sports event shown in slow motion, but you were left admiring the way it was achieved and not wishing the author had blindsided you with a plot twist.

I thought a large part of the plaudits for my enjoyment should go to the narrator, who brought the right amount of suspense without over acting it, and had a good selection of believable accents that drew you into the characters and brought them to life excellently. His portrayal of Billy Winter was excellent and he got across just the right balance of nasty piece of work with a silver tongue … a difficult balancing act.

A new author to me but as I love the far east I thought it sounded quite interesting and I wasn't disappointed. It was a fast paced thriller with qiute a few twists and a very satisfying end. I thought the narrator did really well with the various accents even if I did find his delivery a bit irksome at times. All in all a good listen giving a really good insight into the inside workings of the Thai justice system which I assume was fairly true to life.

None of the characters appealed to me and as a result I was not concerned when bad things happened to them. The story is inventive but short on authenticity and the ending pure nonsense derived from Hollywood. As a book it deserves only two stars but Paul Thornley narrates so well that some suspense is maintained and the weak characterization enriched by his fluency with accents.

It took me awhile to get into this and I did restart as I lost the plot - but I think it was more me that the book. I really am pleased I did as it was worth it and the plot took several twists and turns that you don't see coming. Although I do feel the end was rushed and rapped up too quick - would have appreciated a bit more detail - but I did enjoy and really like this narrator - just love his voice

My first Stephan Leather book. Very pleased with it. Superbly narrated by Paul Thornley. The book takes you into the frightening prospect of being in a Bangkok jail, not very pleasant. Plenty of twists in the book.
Highly recommended.

Fast pace, outstanding plot and his stunning descriptions are remarkable, I could perfectly visualise the sites and sounds of Bankok prison in all its glory ? though probably not reccomended! An excellent, well described ending and you will be pleased when the ?baddy? of the piece meets his well deserved end in the closing chapter! The narator, Paul Thornley is a true professionl and brings life to the book.

Good narration.