PLUGGED

Eoin Colfer is of course best known for his best-selling Artemis Fowl children’s books. However, his foray into the world of crime fiction is, in my opinion, to be welcomed with open arms.

Plugged is the tale of Dan McEvoy a hair obsessed ex-army Irishman turned doorman who finds himself in New York after serving in Lebanon. However life in New York is not as cracked up as he thought it was going to be and he is soon working as a bouncer in an extremely seedy club. His life goes from bad to worse when Connie the waitress that he is half in love with is brutally murdered and he is accused of killing her.

But if it was not Dan that murdered her who did? Was it one of the clients that habitually attend the club? How did he also become involved with his crazy neighbour who thinks that he is her husband? McEvoy reluctantly hooks up with a megalomaniac cop whose life he saves on more than one occasion (despite the fact that she keeps on trying to take him in) and also has to contend with the voice of his dead hair-transplant doctor constantly talking to him in his mind.

Eoin Colfer has introduced us to some excellent (if somewhat wacky) characters from the main protagonist, McEvoy to the various eccentric and at times over the top individuals that make up the cast of Plugged. Add to that a plot that, whilst at times makes you cringe (because of what is going on), is so gripping from the first page that you can’t and don’t want to stop reading. With excellent references to mob films and actors pitted throughout the book, the reader is in for a hell of a ride.

Very reminiscent of Christopher Brookmyre and Colin Bateman, Plugged is dark, comedic, full of blood and gore and bloody funny. So far one of the best books I have read this year. Just what one wants! I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a sequel for readers to look forward to.

Read an interview with Eoin

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