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Joe Donovan #1
The Mercy Seat
"Martyn Waites stands out in the crowded field of young British noir writers . . . with his bruised characters, raw-edged dialogue, and extraordinary night vision."-"The New York Times Book Review" "London's dark heart has seldom been exposed with such surgical precision. Brutal, mesmerizing stuff."-Ian Rankin
"A huge talent."-"TimeOut London"
"One of the brightest stars in the British crime writing firmament."-John Connolly
A research scientist has gone missing. An ace newspaper reporter has disappeared; so has a minidisc, along with its incriminating evidence. And a teenage hustler is on the run. In his pursuer, the Hammer, a skin-headed professional killer with a blue sapphire tooth and a taste for death metal, "the principle of evil" has indeed been "made flesh."
From its staggering opening to an electrifying finish, its prose pumping adrenaline all the way, Martyn Waites' new novel wrests former investigative journalist Joe Donovan out of his reclusion in Newcastle. His heart broken by the disappearance of his six-year-old son two years earlier-a case that remains unsolved-he now finds his destiny entwined with that of the streetwise but vulnerable and frightened teenager Jamal. For on the minidisc, lifted by an unwitting Jamal, lies a crucial, increasingly perilous link to Donovan's past.
Unsettling and unpredictable, this taut, compelling page-turner of a novel delivers point-blank every unexpected narrative hit, twist, and turn as it leads Donovan finally to the terror of the mercy seat.
Martyn Waites is emerging as one of the leading writers of British noir fiction. "The Mercy Seat" is his first American release. He lives in Newcastle.
"A huge talent."-"TimeOut London"
"One of the brightest stars in the British crime writing firmament."-John Connolly
A research scientist has gone missing. An ace newspaper reporter has disappeared; so has a minidisc, along with its incriminating evidence. And a teenage hustler is on the run. In his pursuer, the Hammer, a skin-headed professional killer with a blue sapphire tooth and a taste for death metal, "the principle of evil" has indeed been "made flesh."
From its staggering opening to an electrifying finish, its prose pumping adrenaline all the way, Martyn Waites' new novel wrests former investigative journalist Joe Donovan out of his reclusion in Newcastle. His heart broken by the disappearance of his six-year-old son two years earlier-a case that remains unsolved-he now finds his destiny entwined with that of the streetwise but vulnerable and frightened teenager Jamal. For on the minidisc, lifted by an unwitting Jamal, lies a crucial, increasingly perilous link to Donovan's past.
Unsettling and unpredictable, this taut, compelling page-turner of a novel delivers point-blank every unexpected narrative hit, twist, and turn as it leads Donovan finally to the terror of the mercy seat.
Martyn Waites is emerging as one of the leading writers of British noir fiction. "The Mercy Seat" is his first American release. He lives in Newcastle.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 3, 2006
4 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Martyn Waites
46 books108 followersMartyn Waites (b. 1963) is an English actor and author of hard-boiled fiction. Raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, he spent his post-university years selling leather coats, working in pubs and doing stand-up comedy. After a stint in drama school, Waites pursued life on the stage, performing regionally in theaters across England. TV and commercial work followed, and he continued to act full-time until the early 1990s, when he began writing his first novel: a noir mystery set in the city of his birth. Mary’s Prayer was published in 1997, and Waites followed it with three more novels starring the same character, an investigative journalist named Stephen Larkin.
Since then he has divided his time between acting and writing. After concluding the Larkin series in 2003, he created another journalist, troubled reporter Joe Donovan, who made his first appearance in The Mercy Seat (2006). Waites’ most recent novel is Speak No Evil (2009). Along with his wife and children, he lives and works in Hertfordshire, a county north of London.
Since then he has divided his time between acting and writing. After concluding the Larkin series in 2003, he created another journalist, troubled reporter Joe Donovan, who made his first appearance in The Mercy Seat (2006). Waites’ most recent novel is Speak No Evil (2009). Along with his wife and children, he lives and works in Hertfordshire, a county north of London.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 5, 2018
Gritty, dark, crime thriller which I couldn't put down. Martin Waites doesn't disappoint with The Mercy Seat. Highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a really good crime thriller.
July 3, 2010
This is me leaving my comfort zone and reading a thriller/suspense/whatever it is called. I don't know much about the genre, and haven't read enough to be able review it properly but I thought it was ok. There were dead bodies, blood, chases, fights and a mysterious minidisc.
However, Mr Waites should leave love scenes to Danielle Steel. Really. Check this one for example:
"They looked at each other. Their eyes locked.
'Everything changes,' he said.
'Nothing stays the same,' Maria replied.
They kissed.
The Tyne made oily, feathery slaps alongside them. The stars above them were real."
The stars above them were real?? What the hell is that even supposed to mean??
And that dialogue? Everything changes, nothing stays the same - sounds like a password and a countersign, a cue to kiss. I might try it out on my next date.
However, Mr Waites should leave love scenes to Danielle Steel. Really. Check this one for example:
"They looked at each other. Their eyes locked.
'Everything changes,' he said.
'Nothing stays the same,' Maria replied.
They kissed.
The Tyne made oily, feathery slaps alongside them. The stars above them were real."
The stars above them were real?? What the hell is that even supposed to mean??
And that dialogue? Everything changes, nothing stays the same - sounds like a password and a countersign, a cue to kiss. I might try it out on my next date.
August 26, 2019
Fast-paced, heart-stopping action, with more than a moderate amount of violence, makes this a thriller not for the faint-hearted.
However, dealing as it does with some of the darker aspects of today's modern world: drugs, street life, police corruption and the power of investigative journalism, to highlight just a few, none of the physical, narrative or dialogue content, is unduly gratuitous or used lightly.
Unfortunately, this intense storyline offers an intelligent, multi-faceted and honest social commentary of the times, seen through the eyes and lives of a disparate cross-section of characters, none of whom were particularly likable, but who were all a well crafted study of the complexities of human behavior.
However, dealing as it does with some of the darker aspects of today's modern world: drugs, street life, police corruption and the power of investigative journalism, to highlight just a few, none of the physical, narrative or dialogue content, is unduly gratuitous or used lightly.
Unfortunately, this intense storyline offers an intelligent, multi-faceted and honest social commentary of the times, seen through the eyes and lives of a disparate cross-section of characters, none of whom were particularly likable, but who were all a well crafted study of the complexities of human behavior.
September 10, 2013
After doing a bit of internet research for a crime novel set in Newcastle, I discovered this series by Martyn Waites and thought I'd give it a try. It was initially just going to be a little light, side reading while also reading some heavier nonfiction. As it turned out, I became completely engrossed and had a hard time putting it down. I have a three month old baby at the moment, and suddenly the middle of the night wake ups became something to look forward to because it gave me more time to read Mercy Seat. Plays out like a great noir-action film and even has a soundtrack. Definitely going back for more from Martyn Waites.
July 14, 2008
Excellent crime novel!
July 12, 2010
This is one of those instances where I think the reviews that I read about this book hurt my read. Maybe my expectations were too high, but there just wasn't anything about this novel that really set it off from other books in the genre.
Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book. The prose is well-written, if maybe 50 pages too long. Often the story is more complicated than it is complex. But there are some fun set pieces and good action.
The main flaw to me was that the characters (save for a couple) felt constructed. They felt like a pile of characteristics that never quite came together to feel alive.
Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book. The prose is well-written, if maybe 50 pages too long. Often the story is more complicated than it is complex. But there are some fun set pieces and good action.
The main flaw to me was that the characters (save for a couple) felt constructed. They felt like a pile of characteristics that never quite came together to feel alive.
January 22, 2010
This book wants to be new, edgy, a reinvention of the noir thriller genre. What it is is serviceable. A good read, efficient pacing, crisp plot. But there is nothing "new" here. A protagonist, destroyed by a horrible event in his recent past, ruined career, broken man syndrome, etc., brought back to life by a new job, good people, getting the bad guy. The first in a trilogy, this book sets up the next two, creating the team of characters who will pursue the serial killers, mad men, etc. Nothing new here, but a decent, easy read.
January 23, 2013
I discovered Martyn at BCon 2011 by buying the latest in the Joe Donovan series. After reading, I immediately ordered the rest of this series so I could meet the characters and find out how they got to this point in their lives.
In this one, a newspaperman goes missing. A woman out of Joe's past comes to him for help. Joe is promised help to keep looking for his missing son and agrees. There are a lot of characters but once you get into the rhythm, it becomes easier to keep them all straight.
I'm going to read a few other books first, then go back to this series.
In this one, a newspaperman goes missing. A woman out of Joe's past comes to him for help. Joe is promised help to keep looking for his missing son and agrees. There are a lot of characters but once you get into the rhythm, it becomes easier to keep them all straight.
I'm going to read a few other books first, then go back to this series.
March 31, 2016
A classic case of reading all these little praise clips on back of book and scratching head wondering if they read the same book as me? I wish I could say I had some interest in the characters but they are so vaguely fleshed out and so typical that I could barely finish the book. The writing is just not great and borders on boring which makes even the few dramatic violent scenes not really all that intense. a definite sense of the author being reluctant to delve deeply. On top of that the plot is just not all that interesting and the reveal just doesn't make one slap head with astonishment.
June 4, 2008
The Mercy Seat by Martyn Waites is an suspensful novel that takes place in London. It is a book about a twelve year old named Jamal who overcomes things such as crimelords and police. Jamal hustles his way through life just to get by. I learned a lot from this book, I would like to read more books about Martyn Waites. She is a good author who knows how to write intersting books that are about daily life. i would recommend this book to anyone who likes books about drama.
July 2, 2009
This author is described as the Michael Connelly of English fiction. While I was unfamiliar with some of the dialect, I found the story keeping my interest. The main character is a former journalist, down on his luck who gets involved in a case of murder. As he joins forces with other characters to solve the crime, he leaves journalism to start his own business of investigative jobs with his new team. I really enjoyed this change of pace.
June 17, 2010
i just finished the last third in one sitting and can finally breathe easily. what a read. dark and gritty and whenever you thought - surely, it can't get any more worse - it actually did get worse. not easy to swallow some of the scenes and themes, let alone some of characters which you might encounter in any street of any biggish town these days.
marvellously well written, a perfect crime noir novel.
marvellously well written, a perfect crime noir novel.
November 13, 2011
Set mostly in Newcastle and featuring a former journalist with a tragic past, this book was dark and extremely violent but compulsively readable.
February 13, 2014
Fantastic author with great story thread that weaves through - wish there were more!
May 21, 2017
Gritty, gripping noir mystery set mostly in Newcastle. Lots of bad guys, lots of action, lots of violence.
January 27, 2019
Not really my cup of tea. Credibility was more than strained, and I never really felt engaged by the main characters.
February 28, 2020
If Ian Rankin, John Connolly and Lee Child rave about you, you must be Martyn Waites and you are awesome!!
November 24, 2020
Disappointed because I looove the Tania carver series. It was well written just felt tedious.
March 23, 2021
A brutal storyline. Lots of nastiness going on in Newcastle. Drugs. Prostitution. Kidnap. Torture. Murder. All in all, not a book to make you smile.
March 14, 2018
Een dreigend en somber omslag, met de elektrische stoel prominent uitgelicht en lelijke gele letters, verhult een spannend en intelligent verhaal met Joe Donovan in de hoofdrol. Joe Donovan is journalist. Althans, dat was hij tot twee jaar geleden op onverklaarbare wijze, midden overdag, zijn zesjarig zoontje David verdween. Hij kan het niet verwerken en dus kost het hem zijn baan en zijn huwelijk. Op een dag staat echter zijn oude collega Maria op de stoep, vergezeld van de bedrijfsadvocaat. Donovan moet helpen; een van zijn collega’s wordt vermist en de krant heeft een vreemd telefoontje ontvangen van een jonge jongen, dat hij dringend Donovan moet spreken. De reden dat Donovan uiteindelijk overstag gaat en aan de slag gaat, is het feit dat de bedrijfsadvocaat hem toezegt om in ruil voor zijn medewerking het onderzoek naar de verdwijning van David te laten heropenen.
Joe Donovan komt terecht in een wereld van corruptie en bedrog. Jamal, de jongen die dringend op zoek is naar Donovan, heeft bij toeval een minidisk gevonden met daarop zeer belastende informatie voor enkele lokale politici en gezagshandhavers. De lezer krijgt stukje bij beetje dezelfde informatie, maar daarnaast ook nog eens een kijkje in het handelen en wandelen van de corrupte heren zelf. Joe Donovan is echter niet de enige die belangstelling heeft voor deze heren maar voordat alle partijen gladjes samenwerken gebeurt er wel het een en ander.
Een boek dat eigenlijk 3,5 ster waard is. Het is spannend en de plot zit boeiend in elkaar. Er zitten grimmige scènes in en gelukkig ook nog een vleugje humor. De hoofdpersonen krijgen diepgang. Het geheel komt echter hier en daar toch een beetje rommelig over, alsof de auteur zoveel mogelijk informatie in bepaalde scènes wil stoppen. Daarom duurt het nogal lang voor je als lezer het grote geheel gaat overzien. Het is verder echter een zeer aan te bevelen boek voor liefhebbers van het wat hardere werk.
Joe Donovan komt terecht in een wereld van corruptie en bedrog. Jamal, de jongen die dringend op zoek is naar Donovan, heeft bij toeval een minidisk gevonden met daarop zeer belastende informatie voor enkele lokale politici en gezagshandhavers. De lezer krijgt stukje bij beetje dezelfde informatie, maar daarnaast ook nog eens een kijkje in het handelen en wandelen van de corrupte heren zelf. Joe Donovan is echter niet de enige die belangstelling heeft voor deze heren maar voordat alle partijen gladjes samenwerken gebeurt er wel het een en ander.
Een boek dat eigenlijk 3,5 ster waard is. Het is spannend en de plot zit boeiend in elkaar. Er zitten grimmige scènes in en gelukkig ook nog een vleugje humor. De hoofdpersonen krijgen diepgang. Het geheel komt echter hier en daar toch een beetje rommelig over, alsof de auteur zoveel mogelijk informatie in bepaalde scènes wil stoppen. Daarom duurt het nogal lang voor je als lezer het grote geheel gaat overzien. Het is verder echter een zeer aan te bevelen boek voor liefhebbers van het wat hardere werk.
April 22, 2010
Well written, though not as creepy as it could have been. Still a good thriller/mystery. I would like to read more of his work.
December 8, 2009
Well written, but very dark and violent. Not an easy read and not for everyone.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews