The Accident

Best of the year for me.

Linwood Barclay is becoming one of my favorite authors -- this book was just terrific, as was "Too Close to Home" and "No Time for Goodgbye". Now I'm looking for more.

Remember that old adage, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive"? "The Accident" is about deception -- about women who buy knock-off designer handbags, hoping to fool people into thinking they own the real thing. About building contractors, who use cheap but fake imported materials, even though they know it's dangerous. About the big market for cheap but fake imported perscription drugs, even though they might be nothing more than sugar pills. Most of all it's about deceiving friends and employers, and trying to get away with it.

The first best thing about Barclay's books is that they feature people you think you know -- they're just like the people next door, down the street -- or even yourself. Then some little thing happens -- the kind of thing that could happen to any of us -- and the story is off and running, never stopping until the last page, where you find yourself wanting it to go on because you still want to know what will happen next to these people you've come to know.

The second best thing is that they make you think. Buying a knock-off purse from a streetside vendor -- or at a "purse party" -- might seem to be a small thing, an innocent event, something you'd brush off with a, "it's just for fun" remark. But is it really? Who benefits from making and selling those bags? Who suffers? - and it's not just "big business", there are millions of real people involved in this little game of deception, and most don't fare well at all. The way Barclay works today's economic collapse into the story makes it especially real -- we've all been there, we're sharing this situation, we've all developed coping strategies. What's the real cost of what we're doing?

The Accident is a great book -- I have no doubt I'll listen to it again, even though I know what happens. It's just a great romp, cover to cover.

13 people found this helpful

A Super Read!!!

I am thoroughly enjoying this book..................and trying to make it last because I don't want it to end. Hopefully the ending will live up to the first half because it is a real page turner. I am super tired of serial murderers who lock up and torture their victims!

I don't give many books five stars, but I think this one deserves it.

6 people found this helpful

My first Linwood Barclay book but not my last!

I enjoyed just about everything about this book. The reader, the characters and plot. The main character, Glenn and his daughter have to deal with loss and small town relationships. He's not perfect, but he's doing his best to protect his daughter and deal with all the stuff going on in his life. He's maybe not got the best people skills, but he's trying! Good mystery/thriller.

5 people found this helpful

WOW! This will hold your interest!!

Twists & turns and so many surprises. A teeny bit of suspension of disbelief necessary but I was ready to suspend! Absolutely held my interest throughout! Love his books anyway but this was a complete winner, as far as I'm concerned!

4 people found this helpful

Good book

Can't go wrong with this author! Always holds my interest! Sometimes I drove slower just to keep listening to the story!

3 people found this helpful

Linwood Barclay- Where Have You Been All My Life

My dad is an avid reader. He doesn't listen to books, he reads book after book in the winter because it's too darn cold in Canada to do much else. He called me the other day (knowing I love a good mystery), to chat with me about a Canadian author he found named Linwood Barclay. He told me he read 7 of his books in the past 10 days so I asked him which one I should start with. He said 'The Accident.'

I was on a long roadtrip (11 hours) so I downloaded the book, with no expecatations. I was engulfed in the first five minutes. All I can say is, Barclay has way of making characters rich and likable, and an in depth writing style that makes nothing obvious.

I can't rave enough about this book, and I can't say too much without giving it away, but I will say: 'Well done sir! I will be buying many, many more of your books, and I can't wait!.'

-Wendi

5 people found this helpful

Good Mystery

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I agree with some others who have stated that the overt political statements in the book get annoying. They could be a bit more subtle. I'm also going to file this book under "dick lit". We have a very manly man lead character, and every time he meets a woman he immediately describes her in terms of fuckability. Seriously, every female character is described by 1) how "fit", "tone", "shapely", or "curvaceous" she is, 2) her possible workout routine is speculated, "runs every day", "former gymnast", etc. and 3) then exactly how tight her shirt is fitting her. It's kind of hilarious once you notice it. But idk other than those things it was an enjoyable book. I (mostly) liked the main character and enjoyed the plot. It is a well written mystery. I'll probably give other Barclay novels a chance.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Maybe stop describing exactly how tight each woman's shirt is. There are other ways to describe how a pretty lady looks.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Peter Berkrot?

Sure.

Could you see The Accident being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

What a weird question. Um, Glenn could be played by Henry Cavill or Andrew Lincoln, or someone else who looks good in work boots?

5 people found this helpful

One of Barclay's Best

Excellent narrator, credible and engrossing story, kept me guessing until close to the very satisfactory end. The story was well-structured, with characters who acted like real people, so I was able to figure out the perpetrator before that information was revealed. I appreciated the way Barclay tied up the clues he had sprinkled throughout the story. If you like Barclay's writing, you'll definitely enjoy this book.

4 people found this helpful

Smart Brilliant Thriller

Kept my interest to the very end. Last plot twist was amazing. Highly reccomend to all who love this genre.

1 person found this helpful

Political statements are annoying

Would you try another book from Linwood Barclay and/or Peter Berkrot?

Maybe, but I was really turned off by both Barclay's political preaching and the implausibility of the story.

What could Linwood Barclay have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Barclay could have refrained from constantly hectoring us about homelessness, joblessness, lack of insurance coverage for prescription drugs...GOD that gets old.

Have you listened to any of Peter Berkrot???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never heard him before.

What character would you cut from The Accident?

Kelly, and recreate her as the actual 8 year old she is.

Any additional comments?

Barclay seems to have used this book as a vehicle to complain about what he perceives as social and economic injustices. My personal preferences causes me to veer away from books that get overly iron fisted when it comes to these kinds of issues. I have no objections to the problems of society being discussed in a book, but when the author uses most characters and situations simply to beat us about the head over his beliefs then I normally steer clear next time.

15 people found this helpful