Dead Ball

Football Detective #2

by Tom Palmer

When England's star goalkeeper has a suspicious accident just days before the team's World Cup qualifier against Russia, Danny knows something more sinister is kicking off.

A ruthless Russian billionaire has his eye on the match. His country will win, no matter what the cost. Danny is determined to tackle the match-fixing mystery - and he'll have to go to Mascow to do it.

But unbeknown to Danny, an old enemy is also watching - and is ready to settle the score ...

Paperback

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a disappointing book really. In parts it reads more as though it is a film script. Then for a mystery it all builds up to a football game at a reasonable pace then all the aftermath is crammed into just a few pages with very little given. What is given to the reader is laid out on a silver platter so really does not leave much to the imagination.

[Murray.W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just like the rest of the series is really well written with a great storyline. It's also very descriptive.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for teen boys who love their soccer and are not so keen on reading. The action is a real page-turner, combining soccer, intrigue, Russia and normal teen challenges encountered by 15-year-old Danny Harte. Suspending disbelief at times is all part of the fun of this detective story. This is the 2nd in the 'Football Detective' series, written by Tom Palmer, a soccer fan and sports journalist. Not only does Palmer write authentically and well, but he generously sprinkles a few book titles into the plot, ready to entice Danny Harte and other reluctant readers to give another book a go. Clever! (A few of those books craftily mentioned are the wonderful 'Keeper' by Mal Peet; 'The Spy who came in from the cold' by John Le Carre and 'Gorky Park' by Martin Smith').

[Wouter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: Deadball
The writer is Tom Palmer and it is the second part of the 5 books in the serie.

The books is going about danny who is a football fan. In the semi finals of the world cup, England wins because they have a good keeper named Alex Finn. In the final they have to play against Russia who wants to win so a russian billionaire wants to intimidate the keeper. But he goes against they’re wishes so the russians make a ‘accident’. Now Alex Finn can play and Russia probably will win. How does it end and can Danny find out what realy is happening.

[Akin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The child really liked it, which is what matters, I suppose. Actually, preferred this writer's style immensely over the range of YA books, all the rage of the moment, that seem more like adult exercises in wish fulfilment. This is a book aimed at 10-12 year olds, and stays true to that audience.

[15YatesR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its a great read, this is. Enjoying every page, the suspense has got me on the edge of my seat! Would recomend this top class book so far, overall a great past time.