Shooting Sean

Colin Bateman

A is for Amsterdam (No need to mention adultery)

B is for Belfast (It can't all be glamour)

C is for Cannes (with or without an invitation)

Dan Starkey has a whole new alphabet to learn now he is in the movies - providing for his young family by writing the biography of a maverick Hollywood star.

Even before he gets to K for Kidnap, though, Dan can see he has got Patricia and Little Stevie involved in something that is far from frivolous.

Full of sharp humour and edge-of-your-seat suspense, Shooting Sean is simply a must read novel.

Review by Nigel (011101) Rating (6/10)

Review by Nigel
This is the fourth novel featuring the intrepid reporter Dan Starkey. In Shooting Sean we see Dan down on his luck again after the royalties for his successful book on the career of Fat Boy McMaster are swallowed up when his publisher is sued and the company goes bankrupt. In an attempt to get revenge (and earn some money) he accepts a new commission to write the biography of a Hollywood movie star turned director.

The problems start when Dan arrives on set of Sean's film about a notorious terrorist. As usual things are not what they seem and Dan is caught up in all sorts of double dealing and back stabbing.

I didn't enjoy this novel as much as some of Colin Bateman's earlier work as it seemed much darker with a very grim ending. Saying that, it does have its moments and is worth adding to the library if you are a Colin Bateman fan. However, if you are a first time Bateman reader you would be better off starting with Divorcing Jack, his debut novel, which is a classic.
Nigel (1st November 2001)