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Now pay attention at the back, as THE BIG O requires you to be on the top of your form. It's a polished, sharp as a tack and witty caper novel that has the reader hurtling around Dublin on the heels of what might politely be termed an eclectic collection of ne'er do wells! At least, I think it's Dublin. That's about the only thing that doesn't ring true in THE BIG O. There's not much sense of place to it, which is a shame, given the possibilities for milking Ireland's capital city as a setting. Anyway, that's a minor point. Karen King is a hold-up queen, with a day job working for a dodgy plastic surgeon. She wants to get out of the crime life, but needs one more job. Bonkers boyfriend Rossi is out of prison and wants to reclaim some of his assets – but Karen is determined to keep the mysterious Anna out of his hands. And then she meets Ray, who's desperate to get out of the kidnapping game. It looks like there's an unlikely love blossoming between the pair, and Karen has to decide whether she can trust him to help her on one last job. Add to this a long-suffering detective, Frank the plastic surgeon who wants his wife kidnapped (and she happens to be Karen's best friend), their spoiled brat daughters and his sozzled mistress and you have an off-beat and thoroughly likable read. Burke's great on snappy dialogue (I liked the injured golfer who was in a Stableford condition!) and on presenting the reader with cameo characters (my favourite was Sleeps, the getaway driver with narcolepsy). His storytelling has a confiding voice, the sort that reminds you of the chap in the corner of the pub who welcomes you with a pint and a smile and then spins you a tall yarn. If you're a fan of the likes of Steve Brewer and Carl Hiaasen, you'll devour THE BIG O. It marries a mastery of the caper novel with the sharp writing of a Ken Bruen. Declan Burke is undoubtedly a writer to watch.
Reviewed by Sharon Wheeler, June 2007
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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