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Crusher #3
Shredder
The third pulse-pounding Finn Maguire thriller.
- GenresYoung AdultSuspenseCrime
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2014
5 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Niall Leonard
8 books85 followersNiall Leonard grew up in Newry, Northern Ireland. He attended the University of York to study English, and from there went on to The UK National Film and Television School where he trained as a screenwriter and director.
After graduating from the NFTS in 1986 Niall’s worked as director on ITV’s long-running cop show The Bill while pursuing his own projects, such as the one-off black comedy Rotten Apples and Over The Wild Frontier, a six-part comedy drama set on the Irish border, both for Channel Four.
Niall’s first broadcast TV script was an episode of cop show Spender, closely followed by Pie In The Sky with Richard Griffiths.
In 1994 Niall took up a year-long contract as a Script Editor at BBC Northern Ireland, where he made the acquaintance of Belfast’s Hole In The Wall Gang. His work as script associate on their pilot for Give My Head Peace led to a partnership that continued for ten years
In 1995 he returned to full-time writing with a script for the groundbreaking Irish comedy drama Ballykissangel and went on to create episodes of Silent Witness, Hornblower, Sea of Souls, Second Sight, Monarch of The Glen, Wire In The Blood and Wild At Heart.
As part of the 2011 Nanowrimo novel-writing event Niall wrote Crusher, a gritty YA crime thriller, which was published by Random House in 2012 and was nominated for Best Young Adult novel by the Mystery Writers of America. He followed it with two sequels, Incinerator and Crusher.
in 2015 Niall adapted two novels by his wife, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, into feature films for Universal Pictures.
2021 will see the US publication of 'M: King's Bodyguard', by Penguin Random House, an historical thriller set in Edwardian London and based on real events. Niall is currently working on its sequel.
Niall has led seminars and workshops on screenwriting and script editing for the BBC, the Northern Ireland Film Council and the Irish Screenwriters’ Guild, and led seminars on on the creative process at UCLA.
He is married with two kids and a rather smelly dog and lives in West London.
After graduating from the NFTS in 1986 Niall’s worked as director on ITV’s long-running cop show The Bill while pursuing his own projects, such as the one-off black comedy Rotten Apples and Over The Wild Frontier, a six-part comedy drama set on the Irish border, both for Channel Four.
Niall’s first broadcast TV script was an episode of cop show Spender, closely followed by Pie In The Sky with Richard Griffiths.
In 1994 Niall took up a year-long contract as a Script Editor at BBC Northern Ireland, where he made the acquaintance of Belfast’s Hole In The Wall Gang. His work as script associate on their pilot for Give My Head Peace led to a partnership that continued for ten years
In 1995 he returned to full-time writing with a script for the groundbreaking Irish comedy drama Ballykissangel and went on to create episodes of Silent Witness, Hornblower, Sea of Souls, Second Sight, Monarch of The Glen, Wire In The Blood and Wild At Heart.
As part of the 2011 Nanowrimo novel-writing event Niall wrote Crusher, a gritty YA crime thriller, which was published by Random House in 2012 and was nominated for Best Young Adult novel by the Mystery Writers of America. He followed it with two sequels, Incinerator and Crusher.
in 2015 Niall adapted two novels by his wife, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, into feature films for Universal Pictures.
2021 will see the US publication of 'M: King's Bodyguard', by Penguin Random House, an historical thriller set in Edwardian London and based on real events. Niall is currently working on its sequel.
Niall has led seminars and workshops on screenwriting and script editing for the BBC, the Northern Ireland Film Council and the Irish Screenwriters’ Guild, and led seminars on on the creative process at UCLA.
He is married with two kids and a rather smelly dog and lives in West London.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 5, 2014
Warning: this book will leave your nerves in shreds!
This is the third book in the series about unlikely hero Finn Maguire. Left in a dangerous predicament at the end of 'Incinerator', Finn has to try and save the girl he cares about while also attempting to extract himself from the growing feud between the Guvnor and the Turk - two of the most dangerous criminals you could ever have the misfortune to meet.
I have really come to admire Finn over the course of the series. He relies on his wits and nerves but he also has an inbuilt survival instinct which always seems to see him remain intact even in the midst of the most precarious and potentially deadly situations. He does take some punishment but he can also dish it out when needed! Niall Leonard seems to revel in putting Finn in the path of danger and the plot fairly hurtles along as he struggles to always stay one step ahead. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through as I was extremely worried that he might get killed off.
Nerve wracking, tense and full of suspense there are so many nail-biting moments in 'Shredder' that I recommend you read it in one sitting. I know that I couldn't put it down for even a second. It's well plotted and peppered with so many unexpected surprises that there was a continuous sense of danger throughout the whole book.
And oh that ending! I want to talk about it so much but my lips are sealed because I am absolutely determined not to spoil it for anyone but oh, Niall Leonard, you know how to put your readers through the wringer!
The Crusher series has been one of my favourites of late and I really don't want to say goodbye to Finn. A brilliant set of books which will appeal to both male and female readers, I love how tough and gritty and exciting they are.
This is the third book in the series about unlikely hero Finn Maguire. Left in a dangerous predicament at the end of 'Incinerator', Finn has to try and save the girl he cares about while also attempting to extract himself from the growing feud between the Guvnor and the Turk - two of the most dangerous criminals you could ever have the misfortune to meet.
I have really come to admire Finn over the course of the series. He relies on his wits and nerves but he also has an inbuilt survival instinct which always seems to see him remain intact even in the midst of the most precarious and potentially deadly situations. He does take some punishment but he can also dish it out when needed! Niall Leonard seems to revel in putting Finn in the path of danger and the plot fairly hurtles along as he struggles to always stay one step ahead. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through as I was extremely worried that he might get killed off.
Nerve wracking, tense and full of suspense there are so many nail-biting moments in 'Shredder' that I recommend you read it in one sitting. I know that I couldn't put it down for even a second. It's well plotted and peppered with so many unexpected surprises that there was a continuous sense of danger throughout the whole book.
And oh that ending! I want to talk about it so much but my lips are sealed because I am absolutely determined not to spoil it for anyone but oh, Niall Leonard, you know how to put your readers through the wringer!
The Crusher series has been one of my favourites of late and I really don't want to say goodbye to Finn. A brilliant set of books which will appeal to both male and female readers, I love how tough and gritty and exciting they are.
June 9, 2016
4/4 A++
This is an outstanding novel, one that exquisitely portrays London, racism, suspenseful action and monstrous people as they really are and every page has a gravity to it where you really feel Finn is in danger. Not only that, but this novel is also really effectively sad, to the point where I felt "crushed" "burned" and "shredded" myself, a conclusion that felt so perfect that even the scenes in bed are ones you can cherish.
You can read my full review at http://weldonwitness.weebly.com/books...
This is an outstanding novel, one that exquisitely portrays London, racism, suspenseful action and monstrous people as they really are and every page has a gravity to it where you really feel Finn is in danger. Not only that, but this novel is also really effectively sad, to the point where I felt "crushed" "burned" and "shredded" myself, a conclusion that felt so perfect that even the scenes in bed are ones you can cherish.
You can read my full review at http://weldonwitness.weebly.com/books...
July 20, 2015
As ever, Niall exceeds all expectations. Gripping plot until the very end. It's a must read and if this is the sign you are looking for in order to decide to read it or not...READ IT. But hold on for a very--i don't even have a word to describe it--ending.
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October 2, 2015Great story.
Don't want to say anything more to give away anything. You will just have to read it to find out what happens.
Don't want to say anything more to give away anything. You will just have to read it to find out what happens.
January 3, 2018
From the first moment I read book one in this Crusher Series, Niall Leonard managed to keep me interested and engaged in these great fast moving novels.
Finn, thrown into a world of crime he never wanted, however was very good at working within. This third and final book in the series saw Finn using his clever skills to try and outwit The Turk and The Guvnur, and escape the life that he fell into.
I loved this final novel, and the ending just perfect. Am sharing these novels with all my New Zealand friends, as they arent in our libraries - and really need to be!
Finn, thrown into a world of crime he never wanted, however was very good at working within. This third and final book in the series saw Finn using his clever skills to try and outwit The Turk and The Guvnur, and escape the life that he fell into.
I loved this final novel, and the ending just perfect. Am sharing these novels with all my New Zealand friends, as they arent in our libraries - and really need to be!
July 31, 2021
The last in the series so far. The likeable hero finally has to grow up, facing tough circumstances. Will Crusher return to continue his war on crime? I hope so!
August 26, 2015
Finn is trying to leave the criminal life, but can’t. He sees an out when one of the crime bosses asks (tells) him to set up a meeting with a rival, promising to let Finn get out and lead his own life. Of course, things don’t work out so well for the bosses, Finn or Finn’s girlfriend.
This is an extremely fast-paced novel with LOTS of action. A roller coaster ride in the same vein as action movies like Taken or Scarface. There are several violent scenes, several people are killed, and one particularly disturbing scene featuring a large “shredder” – large enough for a person’s body. A great read! But not for younger students.
This is an extremely fast-paced novel with LOTS of action. A roller coaster ride in the same vein as action movies like Taken or Scarface. There are several violent scenes, several people are killed, and one particularly disturbing scene featuring a large “shredder” – large enough for a person’s body. A great read! But not for younger students.
July 4, 2014
Wow! I couldn't wait to find out what Finn did next and was NOT disappointed. I got the impression Mr Leonard really found his rhythm writing this last book and we are carried along with Finn as he reels from one potential life threatening situation to another. The scenes are very easy to imagine as a film - the action was non-stop, sharp dialogue and heart in mouth moments aplenty.
If you enjoyed Crusher & Incinerator you're going to love Shredder.
When will they be released as a boxed set? Would be a perfect present for any thriller/action fan - of any age.
If you enjoyed Crusher & Incinerator you're going to love Shredder.
When will they be released as a boxed set? Would be a perfect present for any thriller/action fan - of any age.
August 23, 2014
Shredder was the best of the Crusher trilogy! Leonard takes no prisoners in this "swing for the fences" crime thriller. It is a mind bending race through London and nobody is safe. You will not be disappointed in this read that leaves you exhausted at the end but in a good way!
December 20, 2014
A man gets involved in a deadly power struggle between two ruthless gangsters.
I found this book gripping for the first two thirds and then I found my interest waned a bit. A good read, but too long.
I found this book gripping for the first two thirds and then I found my interest waned a bit. A good read, but too long.
November 18, 2015
I like this one, one of the reasons why is because it shows how far the main character came and why he did it. I even felt sad for the main character at the end when his loved one died. The author really knows how to make the readers have feelings for the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews