Bryant & May off the Rails [Hardcover]

Christopher Fowler (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Bantam Books; First Edition edition (2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385614667
• ISBN-13: 978-0385614665
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1.3 x 8.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,083,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Christopher Fowler was born in Greenwich, London. He is the multi award-winning author of thirty novels and ten short story collections, and the author of the Bryant & May mystery novels. His first bestseller was 'Roofworld'. Subsequent novels include 'Spanky', 'Disturbia', 'Psychoville' and 'Calabash'. His books have been optioned by Guillermo Del Toro ('Spanky') and Jude Law ('Psychoville'). He co-founded Creative Partnership, a company that changed the face of film marketing, and spent many years working in film. His memoir of growing up without books, entitled 'Paperboy', was highly acclaimed.

He has written comedy and drama for BBC radio, including Radio One's first broadcast drama in 2005. He writes for the FT and the Independent on Sunday, Black Static magazine and many others. His graphic novel for DC Comics was the critically acclaimed 'Menz Insana'. His short story 'The Master Builder' became a feature film entitled 'Through The Eyes Of A Killer', starring Tippi Hedren and Marg Helgenberger. In the past year he has been nominated for 8 national book awards. He is the winner of the Edge Hill prize 2008 for 'Old Devil Moon', and the Last Laugh prize 2009 for 'The Victoria Vanishes'.

Christopher has achieved several pathetic schoolboy fantasies, releasing a terrible Christmas pop single, becoming a male model, writing a stage show, posing as the villain in a Batman graphic novel, running a night club, appearing in the Pan Books of Horror, and standing in for James Bond.

His short stories have appeared in Best British Mysteries, The Time Out Book Of London Short Stories, Dark Terrors, London Noir, Inferno, Neon Lit, Cinema Macabre, the Mammoth Book of Horror and many others. After living in the USA and France he is now married and lives in King's Cross, London.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There nothing 'Off the Rails' about reading Bryant and May - Great!, October 21, 2010

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bryant and May Off the Rails (Kindle Edition)

First Sentence: With regard to your apprehension of the hired assassin operating in the King's Cross area, this so-called `King's Cross Executioner' chap, thank you for acting so quickly on the matter, although it's a pity he subsequently managed to give you the slip.

A killer known as Mr. Fox has been captured by Detectives Arthur Bryant and John May, but escaped, murdering one of their colleagues in the process. A body has been discovered in a station of London's Underground. Was Mr. Fox the killer or does the Peculiar Crimes Unit have another killer on their hands.

Okay, I'll start right out by admitting I love Bryant and May. In them, Fowler has created two of the most appealing characters being written today. And it is truly Fowler's excellent writing and voice which brings them, and the story, to life.

I have always appreciated books which include a cast of characters. Fowler found a particularly clever way of incorporating his cast of principal characters into the story as a staff roster. In this book, he provides a description of Bryant which truly does give "some measure of the man," and I love his Bryant's habit of reciting dictionary definitions.

Bryant and May, while being the central characters, are not alone but supported by a host of secondary characters each given distinct backgrounds, characteristics and contributions to the story. With each book, we learn more of each character's background and personalities. But beyond the central characters, it is a rare author who can make one feel an element of sympathy for a series killer, but Fowler manages so to do.

There is wonderful humor balanced by touching poignancy. There is a balance of historical information--the London Underground system--with very contemporary references--the use of a flash mob as a distraction. It is the inclusion of small details about which one normally doesn't think; such as the inclusion as to why escalators are always breaking down and the comparison between actors and serial killers, which I appreciate.

This is a book where one should have read the previous books in the series. Doing so would be no great burden as all the Bryant and May stories are so well done and delightful to read. I should hate to see this series end so, please, give them a try, spread the word and enjoy Bryant and May. "On the Loose" is another excellent addition to the series.

BRYANT & MAY OFF THE RAILS (Pol Proc-Arthur Bryant/John May-England-Cont) - Ex
Fowler, Christopher - 8th in series
Doubleday, ©2010, UK Hardcover - ISBN: 9780385614665