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The Lizard
Obsessed with his ex-girlfriend, Alistair Haston heads off to Greece, where she is on holiday. Mugged on arrival in Paros, he loses everything. So when a charming Aussie, shows up and offers Alistair a job recruiting tourists to pose for his wealthy boss, Alistair accepts.
It doesn’t take long to discover that it is not just painting the boss has in mind. Swept along on hedonistic tide of wild parties, wild sex and plentiful drugs, he revels in the pursuit of pleasure. But when the body of a missing tourist is found, all evidence points to Haston.
Arrested but allowed to escape, the body count piles up and Halston finds himself on the run by land and sea on a journey more breathtaking and more frightening than he could ever imagine.
It doesn’t take long to discover that it is not just painting the boss has in mind. Swept along on hedonistic tide of wild parties, wild sex and plentiful drugs, he revels in the pursuit of pleasure. But when the body of a missing tourist is found, all evidence points to Haston.
Arrested but allowed to escape, the body count piles up and Halston finds himself on the run by land and sea on a journey more breathtaking and more frightening than he could ever imagine.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2020
18 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
April 1, 2020
3.5 stars
Meet Alistair Haston. He’s very conventional, sits on the sidelines of life and so indecisive he misses the opportunity of going to Greece with his girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend) Ellie. So, for once in his life he decides to follow Ellie and have an adventure and hopefully win her back. However, I don’t think this is quite what he has in mind. Take one very naive patsy on a boat to a Greek island, befriend him, get him blind drunk, steal from him and later snare him with the prospect of easy money and then drag him into a murky, dangerous, illegal, sick, corrupt world beyond his wildest dreams. For a wimp, he has to become an all action man after meeting Aussie Ricky who is ‘all reptile’. Alistair tells his own story and it’s a wild one....
There are some good thrilling moments in the storytelling, a few twists, surprises and the odd heart in the mouth episodes. Alistair encounters so much as he is duped, tricked, beaten, threatened, imprisoned and faces down the barrel of a gun. There are some occasional touches of dry humour interspersed with the action which alleviates the tension. Some of the characters are easy to picture and are well portrayed. The ending is really good and I appreciate the uncertainty.
However, I have some problems engaging with our hero as he seems so hapless and then suddenly discovers skills such as piloting a boat, windsurfing, firing a gun, fighting dirty and so on which is definitely not the man who starts this journey. He sure finds hidden depths! The storyline has a lot of potential and there are some really good moments but sometimes it falls a bit flat and one dimensional and any sense of danger is lost as our narrator goes round in circles. The flow is uneven and there’ll be really brisk accelerated pace then it slows often to include flora, fauna, wildlife, geographical features and some swifts into the scene. Now I love a swift but in this case they interrupt the story!
Overall, this isn’t a bad book by any means, there is a lot I like about it and parts that are really good and I’ll definitely want to read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Muswell Press for the ARC.
Meet Alistair Haston. He’s very conventional, sits on the sidelines of life and so indecisive he misses the opportunity of going to Greece with his girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend) Ellie. So, for once in his life he decides to follow Ellie and have an adventure and hopefully win her back. However, I don’t think this is quite what he has in mind. Take one very naive patsy on a boat to a Greek island, befriend him, get him blind drunk, steal from him and later snare him with the prospect of easy money and then drag him into a murky, dangerous, illegal, sick, corrupt world beyond his wildest dreams. For a wimp, he has to become an all action man after meeting Aussie Ricky who is ‘all reptile’. Alistair tells his own story and it’s a wild one....
There are some good thrilling moments in the storytelling, a few twists, surprises and the odd heart in the mouth episodes. Alistair encounters so much as he is duped, tricked, beaten, threatened, imprisoned and faces down the barrel of a gun. There are some occasional touches of dry humour interspersed with the action which alleviates the tension. Some of the characters are easy to picture and are well portrayed. The ending is really good and I appreciate the uncertainty.
However, I have some problems engaging with our hero as he seems so hapless and then suddenly discovers skills such as piloting a boat, windsurfing, firing a gun, fighting dirty and so on which is definitely not the man who starts this journey. He sure finds hidden depths! The storyline has a lot of potential and there are some really good moments but sometimes it falls a bit flat and one dimensional and any sense of danger is lost as our narrator goes round in circles. The flow is uneven and there’ll be really brisk accelerated pace then it slows often to include flora, fauna, wildlife, geographical features and some swifts into the scene. Now I love a swift but in this case they interrupt the story!
Overall, this isn’t a bad book by any means, there is a lot I like about it and parts that are really good and I’ll definitely want to read more by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Muswell Press for the ARC.
February 25, 2020
Elli had been asking Alastair Haston,
a German and philosophy student at St. Andrews University all term if he’d go to Greece with her to visit her uncle in Athens. He said yes.
Then she broke up with him.
Haston was obsessed with Ellie.... devastated that she left him, Haston decided to go to Greece alone without her.
He had something to prove to Ellie - mostly to himself.
Nothing goes as planned. Haston arrives in Paros.
Problems started immediately upon arrival in Greece, for Haston.
Being mugged -(passport and money taken)- wasn’t the only crises Haston faced.
A crazy adventure begins....
Haston was framed for six accounts of murder on the islands of Paros and Santorini, as well as the murder at sea of two officers on a police launch.
He spent four weeks under police watch at an infirmary — due to an injury and seven months in a high security prison, awaiting first bail which was denied, on account of him admitting to killing two others in self-defense.
The good news though - Haston wasn’t ridiculously obsessing every waking hour over Ellie finally.
Ha... he had bigger fishes to fry!
“The truth was, I’d moved on and was starting to feel whole again; not one of the mad or brave who would change the world, but rather a necessary cog and cohabitant of planet Earth, tumbling unfettered and
unjudged through time. No further need for self-definition than simply to be there. Like a lizard on a rock”.
This book is a crazy ride - filled with partying, sex, violence, depravity, and mayhem.
It was a thriller with personality and heart — taking us on a fierce and tender journey.
What happens on the islands in Greece stays on the islands.
Quick fast read - reads like watching a crime/thriller movie.
“Nothing comes from nothing. Be it fate or free well, life boils down to continuous binary code: never-ending series of choices; yes or no; in or out; fight or flight. Until death ends the equation. Humans overcomplicate it; we invent shades of gray, hover in a limbo of moderation and deem in intelligence. Only the mad and the brave change the world. The rest look on in wonder.
Haston went to Greece to embrace the binary code, to get off the sidelines and become a player. To live in the moment. Or, as Ellie put it, to become his own man.
Thank you Netgalley, Muswell Press, and Dugald Bruce Lockhart
3.5 stars
a German and philosophy student at St. Andrews University all term if he’d go to Greece with her to visit her uncle in Athens. He said yes.
Then she broke up with him.
Haston was obsessed with Ellie.... devastated that she left him, Haston decided to go to Greece alone without her.
He had something to prove to Ellie - mostly to himself.
Nothing goes as planned. Haston arrives in Paros.
Problems started immediately upon arrival in Greece, for Haston.
Being mugged -(passport and money taken)- wasn’t the only crises Haston faced.
A crazy adventure begins....
Haston was framed for six accounts of murder on the islands of Paros and Santorini, as well as the murder at sea of two officers on a police launch.
He spent four weeks under police watch at an infirmary — due to an injury and seven months in a high security prison, awaiting first bail which was denied, on account of him admitting to killing two others in self-defense.
The good news though - Haston wasn’t ridiculously obsessing every waking hour over Ellie finally.
Ha... he had bigger fishes to fry!
“The truth was, I’d moved on and was starting to feel whole again; not one of the mad or brave who would change the world, but rather a necessary cog and cohabitant of planet Earth, tumbling unfettered and
unjudged through time. No further need for self-definition than simply to be there. Like a lizard on a rock”.
This book is a crazy ride - filled with partying, sex, violence, depravity, and mayhem.
It was a thriller with personality and heart — taking us on a fierce and tender journey.
What happens on the islands in Greece stays on the islands.
Quick fast read - reads like watching a crime/thriller movie.
“Nothing comes from nothing. Be it fate or free well, life boils down to continuous binary code: never-ending series of choices; yes or no; in or out; fight or flight. Until death ends the equation. Humans overcomplicate it; we invent shades of gray, hover in a limbo of moderation and deem in intelligence. Only the mad and the brave change the world. The rest look on in wonder.
Haston went to Greece to embrace the binary code, to get off the sidelines and become a player. To live in the moment. Or, as Ellie put it, to become his own man.
Thank you Netgalley, Muswell Press, and Dugald Bruce Lockhart
3.5 stars
May 2, 2020
Inspired by a trip to the Greek island of Paros taken by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart in 1988, The Lizard charts the events of a deadly summer. Heartbroken and obsessed by a breakup with his first girlfriend, Alistair Haston follows her to Greece to rekindle their relationship. But on a ferry from Athens he meets Ricky; a magnetic Australian called 'the Lizard', who offers him a cushy job on the island of Paros. Soon swept away in a cocktail of hedonistic pursuits, Haston is immersed in a sun-drenched world of sex, alcohol and drugs. But when the body of a missing tourist is found, Haston's world collapses and he is sent on a desperate run for his life…
This is a rich and atmospheric read and you can feel the unease with each turn of the page. The perfect escapist tale in which the island is described in such beautiful detail you almost feel you are there feeling the heat of the sun and smelling the saltiness of the sea breeze. Dugald pens an utterly compelling and pacey thriller which lures you in from the first few pages. A word of warning: there is a lot of sexual activity that goes on throughout the story, so if you are easily offended you may want to take a pass on this. All in all, this is a taut, tense and superbly crafted debut and I can't wait to see what he writes next. Many thanks to Muswell Press for an ARC.
This is a rich and atmospheric read and you can feel the unease with each turn of the page. The perfect escapist tale in which the island is described in such beautiful detail you almost feel you are there feeling the heat of the sun and smelling the saltiness of the sea breeze. Dugald pens an utterly compelling and pacey thriller which lures you in from the first few pages. A word of warning: there is a lot of sexual activity that goes on throughout the story, so if you are easily offended you may want to take a pass on this. All in all, this is a taut, tense and superbly crafted debut and I can't wait to see what he writes next. Many thanks to Muswell Press for an ARC.
May 15, 2020
The Lizard by British actor/author Dugald Bruce-Lockhart is an intriguing story set in Greece during the late 1980's. Be warned this story contains violent sex scenes and lots of drug use. Alistair Haston, a British university student gets dumped by his girlfriend Ellie. He decides to follow (stalk) her to Greece on their Uni break. On his arrival Alistair is mugged and has to rough it for a few days. Soon after he is offered a job by an artist to recruit models. This innocent job turns into something more sinister. I really enjoyed this dark thriller. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy.
April 7, 2020
I had high hopes for The Lizard based on the synopsis. I love thrillers set in other countries, or travel based novels. However the writing and story was too hedonistic initially, with gratuitous orgy scenes which nearly ended up in The Lizard being flung in the DNF pile. But I persevered. It improved a little but still not enough for me to rave about it. It was too unbelievable, too fantastical, and with a cast and central character I couldn’t care less about. Sorry but for me The Lizard was more a damp squib.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 3, 2022
‘Nothing comes from nothing.’
Heartbroken by breaking up with his girlfriend Ellie, and obsessed by her, Alistair Haston travels to Greece hoping to rekindle their relationship. On a ferry from Athens, Alistair meets Ricky, an Australian nicknamed ‘the Lizard’. Ricky introduces Alastair to ‘some friends’ and by the time he comes to his senses, Alastair finds himself on the island of Paros – without his passport and travellers’ cheques. After briefly working as a labourer, Alistair is fired. And then Ricky turns up and offers him a job: recruiting tourists to pose for Ricky’s boss.
Alastair soon learns that the boss has more in mind than painting but becomes caught up in wild parties with plenty of sex and drugs. It all ends when the body of a missing tourist is found. The evidence points to Alastair. Both Ricky and his boss have disappeared, and the property used seems to have been rented in Alastair’s name.
What follows is an action-packed tension-filled story. Alastair is arrested (but escapes). And it is not just the police who are looking for him: more people are killed, and Alastair is not sure who he can trust. Can he escape?
This was Mr Bruce-Lockhart’s debut novel: I’ll be interested in reading what he writes next.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Heartbroken by breaking up with his girlfriend Ellie, and obsessed by her, Alistair Haston travels to Greece hoping to rekindle their relationship. On a ferry from Athens, Alistair meets Ricky, an Australian nicknamed ‘the Lizard’. Ricky introduces Alastair to ‘some friends’ and by the time he comes to his senses, Alastair finds himself on the island of Paros – without his passport and travellers’ cheques. After briefly working as a labourer, Alistair is fired. And then Ricky turns up and offers him a job: recruiting tourists to pose for Ricky’s boss.
Alastair soon learns that the boss has more in mind than painting but becomes caught up in wild parties with plenty of sex and drugs. It all ends when the body of a missing tourist is found. The evidence points to Alastair. Both Ricky and his boss have disappeared, and the property used seems to have been rented in Alastair’s name.
What follows is an action-packed tension-filled story. Alastair is arrested (but escapes). And it is not just the police who are looking for him: more people are killed, and Alastair is not sure who he can trust. Can he escape?
This was Mr Bruce-Lockhart’s debut novel: I’ll be interested in reading what he writes next.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 25, 2020
This book was a rollercoaster! It's a very fast paced, full of suspense and action. There were few moments when I was shocked and my jaw dropped. The ending was amazing and satisfying. This book felt like an action thriller movie tbh. I really enjoyed it.
May 9, 2021
Pulp noir set on PAROS
2.5*
Alistair Haston is a young, unassuming man. He heads to Greece, hot on the heels of his ex girlfriend, Ellie, who saw him as a people pleaser. On the ferry to Paros, he gets in with a group of young hedonists (and remember, this is the 1980s when Greece was a hedonist’s pleasure palace), he passes out (yes they drink too much among other things) and he finds that he has had vital items removed from his baggage – including his passport.
As the book opens, the author takes his readers to the deck of the boat in glorious sunshine, he captures the feel of place and time with a deft hand, and demonstrates a writing style that is really engaging.
Ricky was one of the group on the boat and they happen to meet again. This time Ricky is apparently house sitting for a rich German, purportedly an artist called Heinrich. This, however, is no ordinary house-sitting job. Alistair is soon recruiting tourists to pose for Heinrich (for which Alistair is paid handsomely) but the real mission is to find bed buddies for the German. The intense dalliances are recorded with a camcorder and Alistair starts to access his inner sleaze. He once again passes out through indulgence and discovers that Ricky and Heinrich have disappeared off the face of the earth. Then, it seems that all kinds of large value items – like the villa in which he finds himself and a yacht – are registered in his – Alistair’s – name, and of course he is liable. Then a person is reported murdered. As the body count mounts, Alistair has to flee and prove his innocence. The book is largely about the adventures that beset him on this quest, his ducking and diving to get to the truth. He is soon wind surfing the 38km in the dark of night to nearby Naxos.
The book starts off really well and is so engaging and redolent of life in the 1980s. It then becomes a boys’ own adventure story – with sordid sexual encounters piling in – that didn’t really hold my interest through to the end. There was just too much rushing hither and thither, which some readers will, I am sure, find breathlessly engaging in a pulp noir kind of way (and includes a severed head).
This is now the second book on the trot that I have read where the author chooses to use a foreign language to add authenticity to the narrative, and again it is generally poorly executed. It’s German this time. It is essential that an author gets a native speaker-proofreader to vet the language. It looks so sloppy when there are errors: “..was macht der Jungs Haston in dieser Zeit” (I don’t know where to start with unpicking that sentence) “..dieses Villa..” (it should be diese Villa) and the commas were having a field day. Enough said. Adding foreign language text and words seems to be a booming phenomenon at the moment but it detracts enormously if there is overkill and if execution is slapdash.
The setting of Greece is certainly vibrant and the book is a good read for literary tourism. I rather like the cover which certainly was a factor in picking up this novel!
2.5*
Alistair Haston is a young, unassuming man. He heads to Greece, hot on the heels of his ex girlfriend, Ellie, who saw him as a people pleaser. On the ferry to Paros, he gets in with a group of young hedonists (and remember, this is the 1980s when Greece was a hedonist’s pleasure palace), he passes out (yes they drink too much among other things) and he finds that he has had vital items removed from his baggage – including his passport.
As the book opens, the author takes his readers to the deck of the boat in glorious sunshine, he captures the feel of place and time with a deft hand, and demonstrates a writing style that is really engaging.
Ricky was one of the group on the boat and they happen to meet again. This time Ricky is apparently house sitting for a rich German, purportedly an artist called Heinrich. This, however, is no ordinary house-sitting job. Alistair is soon recruiting tourists to pose for Heinrich (for which Alistair is paid handsomely) but the real mission is to find bed buddies for the German. The intense dalliances are recorded with a camcorder and Alistair starts to access his inner sleaze. He once again passes out through indulgence and discovers that Ricky and Heinrich have disappeared off the face of the earth. Then, it seems that all kinds of large value items – like the villa in which he finds himself and a yacht – are registered in his – Alistair’s – name, and of course he is liable. Then a person is reported murdered. As the body count mounts, Alistair has to flee and prove his innocence. The book is largely about the adventures that beset him on this quest, his ducking and diving to get to the truth. He is soon wind surfing the 38km in the dark of night to nearby Naxos.
The book starts off really well and is so engaging and redolent of life in the 1980s. It then becomes a boys’ own adventure story – with sordid sexual encounters piling in – that didn’t really hold my interest through to the end. There was just too much rushing hither and thither, which some readers will, I am sure, find breathlessly engaging in a pulp noir kind of way (and includes a severed head).
This is now the second book on the trot that I have read where the author chooses to use a foreign language to add authenticity to the narrative, and again it is generally poorly executed. It’s German this time. It is essential that an author gets a native speaker-proofreader to vet the language. It looks so sloppy when there are errors: “..was macht der Jungs Haston in dieser Zeit” (I don’t know where to start with unpicking that sentence) “..dieses Villa..” (it should be diese Villa) and the commas were having a field day. Enough said. Adding foreign language text and words seems to be a booming phenomenon at the moment but it detracts enormously if there is overkill and if execution is slapdash.
The setting of Greece is certainly vibrant and the book is a good read for literary tourism. I rather like the cover which certainly was a factor in picking up this novel!
April 20, 2020
You may want to rethink a holiday to Greece after reading this book!
Alistair Haston is a university student whose life is going fairly well until his girlfriend Ellie dumps him. To start with Alistair comes across as a weak and love sick puppy. Deciding to go to Greece to surprise his ex girlfriend in the hope of winning her back. I was a bit dubious about whether I was going to like him or not but have to say, he took me by surprise.
I had absolutely no clue what was in store for me within these pages. When Alistair starts his journey to the island, alarm bells started to go off. I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to travelling, apart from good old fashioned common sense. Things seemed to be a bit to easy for Alistair to start with and you know the saying that if something is to good to be true, then it usually is. This was certainly the case for Alistair.
It isn’t long before Alistair is in deep, deep trouble. At times I wanted to give him a good slap but who wasn’t young and reckless once? The story whilst already quite sinister, started to get a whole lot darker as well as thrilling. It has an almost cat and mouse feel to it.
The Lizard is a dark and tense read with a great setting which the author brought to life in my head. The story starts off at quite a steady pace, picking up through out and it turns into a race against time whilst Alistair tries to prove his innocence. I picked this book up not expecting to be so hooked that I ended up reading it in one afternoon. I have to say I really enjoyed this debut novel and will look forward to more from the author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Muswell Press for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Alistair Haston is a university student whose life is going fairly well until his girlfriend Ellie dumps him. To start with Alistair comes across as a weak and love sick puppy. Deciding to go to Greece to surprise his ex girlfriend in the hope of winning her back. I was a bit dubious about whether I was going to like him or not but have to say, he took me by surprise.
I had absolutely no clue what was in store for me within these pages. When Alistair starts his journey to the island, alarm bells started to go off. I’m not very knowledgeable when it comes to travelling, apart from good old fashioned common sense. Things seemed to be a bit to easy for Alistair to start with and you know the saying that if something is to good to be true, then it usually is. This was certainly the case for Alistair.
It isn’t long before Alistair is in deep, deep trouble. At times I wanted to give him a good slap but who wasn’t young and reckless once? The story whilst already quite sinister, started to get a whole lot darker as well as thrilling. It has an almost cat and mouse feel to it.
The Lizard is a dark and tense read with a great setting which the author brought to life in my head. The story starts off at quite a steady pace, picking up through out and it turns into a race against time whilst Alistair tries to prove his innocence. I picked this book up not expecting to be so hooked that I ended up reading it in one afternoon. I have to say I really enjoyed this debut novel and will look forward to more from the author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and Muswell Press for a readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
August 16, 2020
Great start but lost its way at the end.
Still a great first novel.
And the last paragraph certainly had me wondering!
Still a great first novel.
And the last paragraph certainly had me wondering!
February 20, 2020
Following his ex-girlfriend to Greece, getting mugged, being offered a job and taking part in lots of partying, things go downhill for Alistair when the body of a missing tourist is found and he gets the blame. A thrilling tale that will keep you captivated until the end!
August 25, 2021
It is not very often that I find myself lost for words about a book. It is even less likely for me to not know if I enjoyed a book or not. But that is where I am when it comes to this novel.
I still don’t know what to think!
When I first began reading this novel, I had some serious doubts. Alistair Haston is a bit of an ass and he moans about a lot, which is never attractive. As the story is told from his perspective, he tends to add philosophy to everything, making the story very dull and dry. I couldn’t care less that he was heartbroken over some girl, and I felt no pity for him.
However, the story suddenly picks up steam when Alistair begins his journey into Greece. Readers are thrown into this chaotic world of illegal activities, orgies, drugs, and violence. To say there is a whirlwind of activity would be an understatement! The author has literally packed everything they can into this story – and it worked because it kept me interested. There were plenty of twists and turns that I just couldn’t predict.
Now, there were many questionable things about this book:
As I mentioned, the main character is unlikeable and I’m betting the author wanted it to be this way. However, I found ALL of the characters to be vapid and lacking depth. There wasn’t a single one I liked. One major reason for this lack of depth could be that the characters were introduced simply to fill plot holes; they came into the story and left just as quickly once they had served their purpose. But this technique leads to another problem: there is just no way for the reader to guess anything. In a mystery/thriller, the whole fun is to try and figure out who is the mastermind – but I was robbed of that chance here.
The writing style was so contrived and it made this a difficult read. Many times, the main character begins to ramble and go into monologues; whilst this makes sense since he is a philosophy student, it made the story drag. The action scenes were also very choppy.
With all of these comments, you must think I despised this novel, right?
Well, that’s where the confusion begins. Once the story reached the halfway point, I couldn’t stop. The plot and intrigue were too gripping and I just NEEDED to know how things would end! Even all of the negatives I had mentioned were not enough to dissuade me from continuing.
Trying to decide what to rate this book has been a real struggle. I’ve just been so torn! But I think I’m going to go with 2.5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
I still don’t know what to think!
When I first began reading this novel, I had some serious doubts. Alistair Haston is a bit of an ass and he moans about a lot, which is never attractive. As the story is told from his perspective, he tends to add philosophy to everything, making the story very dull and dry. I couldn’t care less that he was heartbroken over some girl, and I felt no pity for him.
However, the story suddenly picks up steam when Alistair begins his journey into Greece. Readers are thrown into this chaotic world of illegal activities, orgies, drugs, and violence. To say there is a whirlwind of activity would be an understatement! The author has literally packed everything they can into this story – and it worked because it kept me interested. There were plenty of twists and turns that I just couldn’t predict.
Now, there were many questionable things about this book:
As I mentioned, the main character is unlikeable and I’m betting the author wanted it to be this way. However, I found ALL of the characters to be vapid and lacking depth. There wasn’t a single one I liked. One major reason for this lack of depth could be that the characters were introduced simply to fill plot holes; they came into the story and left just as quickly once they had served their purpose. But this technique leads to another problem: there is just no way for the reader to guess anything. In a mystery/thriller, the whole fun is to try and figure out who is the mastermind – but I was robbed of that chance here.
The writing style was so contrived and it made this a difficult read. Many times, the main character begins to ramble and go into monologues; whilst this makes sense since he is a philosophy student, it made the story drag. The action scenes were also very choppy.
With all of these comments, you must think I despised this novel, right?
Well, that’s where the confusion begins. Once the story reached the halfway point, I couldn’t stop. The plot and intrigue were too gripping and I just NEEDED to know how things would end! Even all of the negatives I had mentioned were not enough to dissuade me from continuing.
Trying to decide what to rate this book has been a real struggle. I’ve just been so torn! But I think I’m going to go with 2.5 stars!
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2020
This is one hell of a book! A book that has absolutely everything and more. I enjoyed every minute of reading The Lizard! Every time I picked this book up, I was transported to Greece in the 1980's; turquoise seas, street bars and restaurants, mopeds, parties, clubs, pubs, villas, boat tours, yachts, island hopping with strangers met along the way.
Alastair Haston is heartbroken when his girlfriend Ellie suddenly breaks up with him. They'd planned a summer together in Greece and he suddenly finds himself with no plans and the prospect of spending his summer alone and pining after his ex-girlfriend. On an impulse, he decides he's not going to be that guy; that he's going to be the person Ellie doesn't expect, the person he thinks Ellie wants. And so, he makes the trip to Greece on his own with the ulterior motive of bumping into her in Greece in the hope that upon seeing him, she'll realise she wants him back.
Upon his arrival in Greece, Alastair is immediately thrown into a world of strangers, alcohol, drugs and debauchery; the "highs" of island life. Waking up the next morning with the monster of all hangovers, he can't remember what happened the night before and worse still, his money and passport have been stolen.
Alastair's journey over the summer is incredible. Everything he stumbles into is worlds away from the life he lived before. He finds himself in scenarios that he could never have dreamt, doing things he'd never have imagined he'd be capable of. And when he finds himself in prison, accused of a crime he didn't commit, suddenly Alastair needs to fight to survive, to clear his name and make it home... alive.
The Lizard is fantastically written. The first Dugald Bruce-Lockhart book that I've read and I enjoyed it immensely! The story development is brilliant, everything is meticulously planned with characters and relationships developed throughout with fantastic pacing and detail throughout.
I genuinely cannot recommend The Lizard enough! An exceptional plot that grows and grows with twist after twist right til the very end. Extremely enjoyable and entertaining and a welcome change from books I've read before - I think I'll remember this book for a long time - and one I'll most likely read again one day. 5 huge stars!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Muswell Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alastair Haston is heartbroken when his girlfriend Ellie suddenly breaks up with him. They'd planned a summer together in Greece and he suddenly finds himself with no plans and the prospect of spending his summer alone and pining after his ex-girlfriend. On an impulse, he decides he's not going to be that guy; that he's going to be the person Ellie doesn't expect, the person he thinks Ellie wants. And so, he makes the trip to Greece on his own with the ulterior motive of bumping into her in Greece in the hope that upon seeing him, she'll realise she wants him back.
Upon his arrival in Greece, Alastair is immediately thrown into a world of strangers, alcohol, drugs and debauchery; the "highs" of island life. Waking up the next morning with the monster of all hangovers, he can't remember what happened the night before and worse still, his money and passport have been stolen.
Alastair's journey over the summer is incredible. Everything he stumbles into is worlds away from the life he lived before. He finds himself in scenarios that he could never have dreamt, doing things he'd never have imagined he'd be capable of. And when he finds himself in prison, accused of a crime he didn't commit, suddenly Alastair needs to fight to survive, to clear his name and make it home... alive.
The Lizard is fantastically written. The first Dugald Bruce-Lockhart book that I've read and I enjoyed it immensely! The story development is brilliant, everything is meticulously planned with characters and relationships developed throughout with fantastic pacing and detail throughout.
I genuinely cannot recommend The Lizard enough! An exceptional plot that grows and grows with twist after twist right til the very end. Extremely enjoyable and entertaining and a welcome change from books I've read before - I think I'll remember this book for a long time - and one I'll most likely read again one day. 5 huge stars!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Muswell Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2020
The Lizard was inspired by a solo trip which Dugald Bruce-Lockheart took in 1988, during which he slept rough on beaches and rooftops and ended up getting chased by a local gang – at knifepoint! – around the island of Paros.
As soon as I was told it was loosely based on a real experience I couldn’t resist giving it a go, even though this is not the type of book I normally pick up.
The best word to describe the first quarter of the novel is hedonistic, and it’s definitely on the racier end of the spectrum. Alistair’s ferry trip on the way to Paros is debauched, and the parties at Heinrich’s mansion spiral further out of control as Alistair films the sexual antics of the attendants. If you’re someone who is opposed to reading books which include a lot of casual sex then I would recommend staying away from this one, as it is a huge part of the novel: Alistair works recruiting models for Heinrich to paint and gets a bonus if the models sleep with Heinrich – who also pays them for the pleasure of sleeping with them – so the sexual aspects of the story are not easily avoidable.
However, things quickly go from wild to absolutely WACKY. Alistair is arrested and discovers that Heinrich hasn’t just been painting the models. They have been turning up dead, and Alistair has been set up to take the fall for their crime. He manages to escape from prison and intends on heading to the British Embassy in Athens, until he receives a picture of Ricky with Ellie. Can he save her before she becomes their next victim, without losing his own life in the process?
This novel has so many twists and turns that you feel as though you’re on a rollercoaster, and every time you think the ride is nearly over you discover a whole new stretch of track filled with loop-the-loops and plummeting drops. Your stomach will be in your throat, your heart will be racing, and it will be impossible for you to put this book down.
Meanwhile, the location is described beautifully, the vibrant nature of the Greek islands thrumming through the pages. Considering there aren’t going to be any summer holidays happening this year, this is the perfect way to get a taste of warmer climes and escape from the ceaseless rain of another British summer.
If you’re longing for an escape to the sun but have a taste for a gritty crime novel, The Lizard is the perfect combination for you. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel, and it’s certainly put Dugald Bruce-Lockhart on my radar as one to watch out for in the future. As far as I’m aware this is a standalone, but it has a cheekily open ending so there is the possibility that he could revisit some of the characters in the future. I for one would be completely up for that!
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Blogger.
As soon as I was told it was loosely based on a real experience I couldn’t resist giving it a go, even though this is not the type of book I normally pick up.
The best word to describe the first quarter of the novel is hedonistic, and it’s definitely on the racier end of the spectrum. Alistair’s ferry trip on the way to Paros is debauched, and the parties at Heinrich’s mansion spiral further out of control as Alistair films the sexual antics of the attendants. If you’re someone who is opposed to reading books which include a lot of casual sex then I would recommend staying away from this one, as it is a huge part of the novel: Alistair works recruiting models for Heinrich to paint and gets a bonus if the models sleep with Heinrich – who also pays them for the pleasure of sleeping with them – so the sexual aspects of the story are not easily avoidable.
However, things quickly go from wild to absolutely WACKY. Alistair is arrested and discovers that Heinrich hasn’t just been painting the models. They have been turning up dead, and Alistair has been set up to take the fall for their crime. He manages to escape from prison and intends on heading to the British Embassy in Athens, until he receives a picture of Ricky with Ellie. Can he save her before she becomes their next victim, without losing his own life in the process?
This novel has so many twists and turns that you feel as though you’re on a rollercoaster, and every time you think the ride is nearly over you discover a whole new stretch of track filled with loop-the-loops and plummeting drops. Your stomach will be in your throat, your heart will be racing, and it will be impossible for you to put this book down.
Meanwhile, the location is described beautifully, the vibrant nature of the Greek islands thrumming through the pages. Considering there aren’t going to be any summer holidays happening this year, this is the perfect way to get a taste of warmer climes and escape from the ceaseless rain of another British summer.
If you’re longing for an escape to the sun but have a taste for a gritty crime novel, The Lizard is the perfect combination for you. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this novel, and it’s certainly put Dugald Bruce-Lockhart on my radar as one to watch out for in the future. As far as I’m aware this is a standalone, but it has a cheekily open ending so there is the possibility that he could revisit some of the characters in the future. I for one would be completely up for that!
This review was originally posted on The Bumbling Blogger.
May 10, 2020
Nothing comes from nothing. Be it fate or free well, life boils down to continuous binary code: never-ending series of choices; yes or no; in or out; fight or flight. Until death ends the equation. Humans overcomplicate it; we invent shades of gray, hover in a limbo of moderation and deem in intelligence. Only the mad and the brave change the world. The rest look on in wonder.
The author wisely summarises the whole story in its title as a furtive creature sitting alone on a rock; with one eye on security,other,on next meal & had took inspiration for the book from his real life experience on his solo trip to Greece in 1988.
Alastair Haston, a German & philosophy student at St. Andrews University, everything was good in his life until his gf, Ellie dumps him. Being obsessed with his gf he travels to Greece where she is on vacation to prove himself worthy & win her back.
Upon arrival at Paros, he gets mugged & loses everything from passport to money. Then only he meets a magnetic Aussie, Ricky known as 'The Lizard' who offers him a high money making job under a big villa owner,Henrich & due to in high need Haston accepts that offer. His job is to recruit model who will let them painted naked by Henrich & he gets bonus if the models agree to sleep with him and model also get paid. Soon he is dragged in a world of drugs,alcohol & wild sex,forgetting Ellie.
But after few weeks situation turns when body of a missing tourist is found. In few days he is being convicted of not one but 4 murders including models he recruited; victims are raped, murder,the whole act is recorded & being sold for high pay;Turns out that villa & wild parties were rented in his name. Situation gets worse when he has to run from the jail & get to Ellie because now she may be the next victim.
Even though I really enjoyed it, this novel freaked the hell out of me. I'm not sure if I'll recommend it to everyone as the story,plots,twists etc are so dark & violent. So, if you're not used to reading that level of dark things you should pass it. In 1st quarter, you're gonna face all the wild sex, parties, dark events; 2nd Q give start to actual story bring along all most brutal acts followed by 3rd Q with major thrills & twist. Still it ended at amazing twist, with a feeling of 'it ended?where is more?'
The author wisely summarises the whole story in its title as a furtive creature sitting alone on a rock; with one eye on security,other,on next meal & had took inspiration for the book from his real life experience on his solo trip to Greece in 1988.
Alastair Haston, a German & philosophy student at St. Andrews University, everything was good in his life until his gf, Ellie dumps him. Being obsessed with his gf he travels to Greece where she is on vacation to prove himself worthy & win her back.
Upon arrival at Paros, he gets mugged & loses everything from passport to money. Then only he meets a magnetic Aussie, Ricky known as 'The Lizard' who offers him a high money making job under a big villa owner,Henrich & due to in high need Haston accepts that offer. His job is to recruit model who will let them painted naked by Henrich & he gets bonus if the models agree to sleep with him and model also get paid. Soon he is dragged in a world of drugs,alcohol & wild sex,forgetting Ellie.
But after few weeks situation turns when body of a missing tourist is found. In few days he is being convicted of not one but 4 murders including models he recruited; victims are raped, murder,the whole act is recorded & being sold for high pay;Turns out that villa & wild parties were rented in his name. Situation gets worse when he has to run from the jail & get to Ellie because now she may be the next victim.
Even though I really enjoyed it, this novel freaked the hell out of me. I'm not sure if I'll recommend it to everyone as the story,plots,twists etc are so dark & violent. So, if you're not used to reading that level of dark things you should pass it. In 1st quarter, you're gonna face all the wild sex, parties, dark events; 2nd Q give start to actual story bring along all most brutal acts followed by 3rd Q with major thrills & twist. Still it ended at amazing twist, with a feeling of 'it ended?where is more?'
March 20, 2025
“The Lizard” by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart is a gripping and atmospheric novel that blends elements of adventure, suspense, and psychological depth. The story is set in Morocco and follows the journey of an Englishman named Will, who becomes entangled in the mysterious and dangerous world of espionage and intrigue. As Will travels through the Moroccan landscape, he is drawn into a complex web of deception, and his life becomes increasingly uncertain as he tries to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious events.
One of the standout features of the novel is Bruce-Lockhart’s ability to vividly describe the setting. The Moroccan landscape is richly detailed, and the author uses it to create a sense of isolation and tension throughout the narrative. From the scorching desert to the labyrinthine streets of the city, the environment plays a significant role in enhancing the book’s atmosphere and driving the plot forward.
The central character, Will, is well-developed, and readers are able to connect with him as he grapples with uncertainty, danger, and his own personal demons. His journey is one of self-discovery and survival, and the author deftly explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the psychological effects of living in a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
The pacing of *The Lizard* is engaging, with moments of suspense and action interspersed with quieter, more reflective passages that allow the reader to delve deeper into the motivations of the characters. The author carefully builds tension, gradually revealing key information, and keeping readers hooked with unexpected twists and turns.
While the novel contains elements of adventure, *The Lizard* is also an introspective exploration of the human condition, examining the internal conflicts of its protagonist as much as the external dangers he faces. The psychological tension is a significant part of the story, adding layers of complexity to the plot and making for a thought-provoking read.
Overall, *The Lizard* is a compelling and atmospheric novel that offers a rich blend of suspense, adventure, and psychological depth. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s writing is vivid and immersive, drawing the reader into a world of intrigue and danger. It’s a strong choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers and character-driven stories set against a captivating backdrop.
One of the standout features of the novel is Bruce-Lockhart’s ability to vividly describe the setting. The Moroccan landscape is richly detailed, and the author uses it to create a sense of isolation and tension throughout the narrative. From the scorching desert to the labyrinthine streets of the city, the environment plays a significant role in enhancing the book’s atmosphere and driving the plot forward.
The central character, Will, is well-developed, and readers are able to connect with him as he grapples with uncertainty, danger, and his own personal demons. His journey is one of self-discovery and survival, and the author deftly explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the psychological effects of living in a world where nothing is quite as it seems.
The pacing of *The Lizard* is engaging, with moments of suspense and action interspersed with quieter, more reflective passages that allow the reader to delve deeper into the motivations of the characters. The author carefully builds tension, gradually revealing key information, and keeping readers hooked with unexpected twists and turns.
While the novel contains elements of adventure, *The Lizard* is also an introspective exploration of the human condition, examining the internal conflicts of its protagonist as much as the external dangers he faces. The psychological tension is a significant part of the story, adding layers of complexity to the plot and making for a thought-provoking read.
Overall, *The Lizard* is a compelling and atmospheric novel that offers a rich blend of suspense, adventure, and psychological depth. Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s writing is vivid and immersive, drawing the reader into a world of intrigue and danger. It’s a strong choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers and character-driven stories set against a captivating backdrop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2020
Did I or didn’t I enjoy this book? That is the question. It frustrated the hell out of me and I found it really difficult to connect with any of the characters. Alistair made some stupid choices and didn’t learn from the mistakes he made. The way in which he behaved left him right open to be mugged, robbed, set up and imprisoned on a murder charge.
The plot worked and there were plenty of twists, turns and revenge activity, however it was very predictable and the ending didn’t surprise me. Came across as the same old, same old. Drugs, sex, drink, wild parties with a few murders thrown in, oh and brutal and corrupt police force.
I can’t believe that this imbecile didn’t get in touch with the police straight away or his parents or at least someone back home. Suppose if he had done that then there wouldn’t have been a novel born out of what happened, so lacked a bit of credibility.
“‘Would Ellie have succumbed? Could she be tricked? She was on holiday, of course, out for fun - for adventure . . . But she was far less gullible than I. She would never compromise her integrity, or put herself in a vulnerable position –and she’d never ditch her cousin. In all probability, Ellie was safely out of harm’s way, utterly oblivious.’”
Did Ellie succumb or didn’t she 🤷♀️ you’ll have to read the novel to find out.
As you can probably surmise I’m quite flat in regard to the context of The Lizard, however I would read subsequent novels by this author. It’s just I found it difficult to relate to as I get a tad p***** off by the way in which people portrayed and behave when they go on holiday, it disgusts me so it is rather personal. And I know it’s fiction and make believe, however atrocities like this do happen. 🤦♀️
Bruce-Lockhart can write, no question about that and this is a decent debut, however it wasn’t for me. What we do and don’t enjoy is personal so give it a go as you may enjoy it. I’m not saying don’t read it as it flowed and was a quick read.
Thank you to Dugald Bruce-Lockhart the author, Netgalley and Muswell Press for this ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased and honest review.
The plot worked and there were plenty of twists, turns and revenge activity, however it was very predictable and the ending didn’t surprise me. Came across as the same old, same old. Drugs, sex, drink, wild parties with a few murders thrown in, oh and brutal and corrupt police force.
I can’t believe that this imbecile didn’t get in touch with the police straight away or his parents or at least someone back home. Suppose if he had done that then there wouldn’t have been a novel born out of what happened, so lacked a bit of credibility.
“‘Would Ellie have succumbed? Could she be tricked? She was on holiday, of course, out for fun - for adventure . . . But she was far less gullible than I. She would never compromise her integrity, or put herself in a vulnerable position –and she’d never ditch her cousin. In all probability, Ellie was safely out of harm’s way, utterly oblivious.’”
Did Ellie succumb or didn’t she 🤷♀️ you’ll have to read the novel to find out.
As you can probably surmise I’m quite flat in regard to the context of The Lizard, however I would read subsequent novels by this author. It’s just I found it difficult to relate to as I get a tad p***** off by the way in which people portrayed and behave when they go on holiday, it disgusts me so it is rather personal. And I know it’s fiction and make believe, however atrocities like this do happen. 🤦♀️
Bruce-Lockhart can write, no question about that and this is a decent debut, however it wasn’t for me. What we do and don’t enjoy is personal so give it a go as you may enjoy it. I’m not saying don’t read it as it flowed and was a quick read.
Thank you to Dugald Bruce-Lockhart the author, Netgalley and Muswell Press for this ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased and honest review.
September 20, 2024
Incredible,
Is a complete understatement for this book. It’s exciting, emotional, disturbing at times, shocking and entirely entertaining. It’s hard to believe that this is Bruce-Lockart’s debut novel.
I am inspired by how Lockhart managed to connect so many supposedly meaningless series of events together, his writing is unpredictable and keeps you wanting to read on.
The only reason I don’t award the book with five stars is my own bias, Haston is, in my opinion, an idiot. His understanding of sensible decisions seems to irradicate the second he steps onto the boat in Greece.
Despite my dislike of Haston and his bad decisions + his constant pining for Ellie, I couldn’t put this book down.
*spoilers following* the scene in which Haston is sexually assaulted in his cell by the guard shook me to my core, and it was Lockhart’s writing that brought that emotion and sympathy that I experienced for Haston at that point.
Lockhart does an amazing job in his development of the characters, as we can see why Ricky is such a magnet to those around him. I never felt sure about his true intentions or what his next move was; it felt like the first time I was reading a book so unpredictable!
On a final note, I will say that this book is NOT a light read. The topics are extremely heavy, including but not limited to: extreme violence, rape, sex, drugs, criminal activity etc. If you’re looking for a relaxed book about a holiday in Greece, this isn’t for you. The majority of the book consists of: very uncomfortable and invasive sexual scenes, detailed drug experiences, running from police, gory images. Although this may all sound completely unreadable, I would recommend this book to all maturer readers.
Is a complete understatement for this book. It’s exciting, emotional, disturbing at times, shocking and entirely entertaining. It’s hard to believe that this is Bruce-Lockart’s debut novel.
I am inspired by how Lockhart managed to connect so many supposedly meaningless series of events together, his writing is unpredictable and keeps you wanting to read on.
The only reason I don’t award the book with five stars is my own bias, Haston is, in my opinion, an idiot. His understanding of sensible decisions seems to irradicate the second he steps onto the boat in Greece.
Despite my dislike of Haston and his bad decisions + his constant pining for Ellie, I couldn’t put this book down.
*spoilers following* the scene in which Haston is sexually assaulted in his cell by the guard shook me to my core, and it was Lockhart’s writing that brought that emotion and sympathy that I experienced for Haston at that point.
Lockhart does an amazing job in his development of the characters, as we can see why Ricky is such a magnet to those around him. I never felt sure about his true intentions or what his next move was; it felt like the first time I was reading a book so unpredictable!
On a final note, I will say that this book is NOT a light read. The topics are extremely heavy, including but not limited to: extreme violence, rape, sex, drugs, criminal activity etc. If you’re looking for a relaxed book about a holiday in Greece, this isn’t for you. The majority of the book consists of: very uncomfortable and invasive sexual scenes, detailed drug experiences, running from police, gory images. Although this may all sound completely unreadable, I would recommend this book to all maturer readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
While I personally prefer to read predominantly indie books cos I want to support indie authors as much as I can… I am a mood reader and do enjoy trad pub books that suit whatever mood I am in 🤭
I picked this book up on a whim after leaving the book I was reading behind while on a family break over the weekend… the small shop on site had limited choice but the cover & the blurb had me intrigued.
“Obsessed with his ex-girlfriend, Alistair Haston heads off to Greece, where she is on holiday. Mugged on the harbourside in Paros, he is robbed of everything. So when Ricky a charming Aussie, shows up and offers Alistair a job recruiting tourists to pose for his wealthy boss, Heinrich, a charismatic, German artist, Alistair accepts. He soon realises that it is more than just painting that Heinrich has in mind. Swept away on a tide of wild parties, wild sex, fine food and drugs Haston sheds his reserve and throws himself headlong into the pursuit of pleasure. Until, the body of a missing tourist is found and the finger of blame points to Haston. His world collapses. Arrested but allowed to escape, the body count piles up and Haston finds himself on the run by land and sea on a journey more breathtaking and more frightening than his wildest dreams.”
The twists and turns had me hooked, and while some were a little unbelievable I was still invested! The ending had me searching for a book 2 (which there is! So naturally another book has been added to my ever-growing TBR pile)
I would recommend to others and think it is very deserving of 4 ⭐️
I picked this book up on a whim after leaving the book I was reading behind while on a family break over the weekend… the small shop on site had limited choice but the cover & the blurb had me intrigued.
“Obsessed with his ex-girlfriend, Alistair Haston heads off to Greece, where she is on holiday. Mugged on the harbourside in Paros, he is robbed of everything. So when Ricky a charming Aussie, shows up and offers Alistair a job recruiting tourists to pose for his wealthy boss, Heinrich, a charismatic, German artist, Alistair accepts. He soon realises that it is more than just painting that Heinrich has in mind. Swept away on a tide of wild parties, wild sex, fine food and drugs Haston sheds his reserve and throws himself headlong into the pursuit of pleasure. Until, the body of a missing tourist is found and the finger of blame points to Haston. His world collapses. Arrested but allowed to escape, the body count piles up and Haston finds himself on the run by land and sea on a journey more breathtaking and more frightening than his wildest dreams.”
The twists and turns had me hooked, and while some were a little unbelievable I was still invested! The ending had me searching for a book 2 (which there is! So naturally another book has been added to my ever-growing TBR pile)
I would recommend to others and think it is very deserving of 4 ⭐️
April 17, 2020
Call me an old fuddy-duddy, a prude, even, but this has been thrown onto my Did-Not-Finish-And-Will-Never-Try-Again pile.
It starts off quite well, with ordinary guy, Alistair, besotted with girlfriend, Ellie, who eventually dumps him because he just has no get-up-and-go – and no I'm not going to even repeat the old joke. She'd been nagging him for long enough to go to Greece with her but his lack of enthusiasm irritated her so much, it's the big heave-ho. So, guess what? Alistair decides to go it alone where, hopefully, he will “bump into her” and renew their romance. Oh dear, poor Alistair – he's robbed soon after his arrival, left with nothing - no passport, no money – just a dollop of self-pity. Does he go to the police? No, of coure hot because he's Stupid.
It's after he bumps into, not Ellie, but an Aussie he guy he'd met on the boat across to the island, that things get a little more interesting. Interesting that is, if you're into people ripping their clothes off and indulging in drugs and orgies...
Ricky, the Aussie, introduces Alistair to his boss, and a job offer he can't refuse: recruit people for his boss to paint, and then.....
Nah, not for me. I don't care how thrilling this might turn out to be, I don't like any of the characters or their unsavoury activities, so there it goes....onto that pile I mentioned earlier. Thank goodness it was a Kindle version.
Thanks anyway to Netgalley fro an ARC download.
It starts off quite well, with ordinary guy, Alistair, besotted with girlfriend, Ellie, who eventually dumps him because he just has no get-up-and-go – and no I'm not going to even repeat the old joke. She'd been nagging him for long enough to go to Greece with her but his lack of enthusiasm irritated her so much, it's the big heave-ho. So, guess what? Alistair decides to go it alone where, hopefully, he will “bump into her” and renew their romance. Oh dear, poor Alistair – he's robbed soon after his arrival, left with nothing - no passport, no money – just a dollop of self-pity. Does he go to the police? No, of coure hot because he's Stupid.
It's after he bumps into, not Ellie, but an Aussie he guy he'd met on the boat across to the island, that things get a little more interesting. Interesting that is, if you're into people ripping their clothes off and indulging in drugs and orgies...
Ricky, the Aussie, introduces Alistair to his boss, and a job offer he can't refuse: recruit people for his boss to paint, and then.....
Nah, not for me. I don't care how thrilling this might turn out to be, I don't like any of the characters or their unsavoury activities, so there it goes....onto that pile I mentioned earlier. Thank goodness it was a Kindle version.
Thanks anyway to Netgalley fro an ARC download.
April 19, 2020
This debut does what you’d imagine any thriller would do - it thrills. Alistair travels to the Greek Islands one summer - for some reason, this is set in the 80s, in the days pre-Euro - to track down his ex-girlfriend, Ellie. Evidently, Alistair is obsessed with Ellie but before he finds her, he gets caught up in something much more sinister.
Bruce-Lockhart creates a cinematic read here. I can imagine The Lizard being made into a film: the constant heat of summer; the picturesque harbours; the wild scrublands of some islands’ interiors. However, as a book, I found it cliched and, quite often, lacking in originality.
Alistair evidently finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time - and it’s his drive to make a lot of money, quickly, that contributes to what happens. The premise is interesting but the characters, from Alistair himself to Ricky, Leo and Roland, to name but a few - are fairly implausible and wooden. For me, the first-person narration doesn’t help. Alistair, an undergraduate at St.Andrews, had an unconvincing voice. I just don’t think he is portrayed as he should be, if could be.
There is a lot of action in The Lizard and the final twist (probably fairly impossible without a further twist) is quite ridiculous, although it does leave the reader thinking: okay, but what if...?
I think some people will love this book. I can see the easy-reading-on-a-beach appeal but it just doesn’t work for me. Each to their own, I guess.
Bruce-Lockhart creates a cinematic read here. I can imagine The Lizard being made into a film: the constant heat of summer; the picturesque harbours; the wild scrublands of some islands’ interiors. However, as a book, I found it cliched and, quite often, lacking in originality.
Alistair evidently finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time - and it’s his drive to make a lot of money, quickly, that contributes to what happens. The premise is interesting but the characters, from Alistair himself to Ricky, Leo and Roland, to name but a few - are fairly implausible and wooden. For me, the first-person narration doesn’t help. Alistair, an undergraduate at St.Andrews, had an unconvincing voice. I just don’t think he is portrayed as he should be, if could be.
There is a lot of action in The Lizard and the final twist (probably fairly impossible without a further twist) is quite ridiculous, although it does leave the reader thinking: okay, but what if...?
I think some people will love this book. I can see the easy-reading-on-a-beach appeal but it just doesn’t work for me. Each to their own, I guess.
May 4, 2020
Dugald Bruce-Lockhart has written an action packed thriller set in the Greek islands. The protagonist, Alistair, is a university student studying moral philosophy and German at St Andrews University. His girlfriend, Ellie, has just dumped him but he nevertheless decides to follow her to Greece where she is holidaying in order to show her that he can commit and has gumption. Worthy ideals, but the hapless Alistair is soon dogged by awful luck, first having his money and passport stolen on the ferry and then falling in with a bad lot. His life is imperiled several times, he's imprisoned by corrupt policemen and chased all over the islands by said policemen and other baddies.
The author writes action scenes well and I found his descriptions of the islands well drawn. However, the plotting seemed chaotic at times and consisted of relentless action scenes in which horrible things happen to Alistair. It became a case of one darn thing after another, to the extent I became so desensitized that I ended up not caring what happened to Alistair.
I also found the characterisation poor, in particular the female characters who seemed vapid and insubstantial. Even the supposedly lethal Annika was curiousy unthreatening - we were told she was very tall several times, so at least she stood out a bit. But that was part of the problem. We were told things about the characters rather than shown and as a result they became cardboard cutouts.
The author writes action scenes well and I found his descriptions of the islands well drawn. However, the plotting seemed chaotic at times and consisted of relentless action scenes in which horrible things happen to Alistair. It became a case of one darn thing after another, to the extent I became so desensitized that I ended up not caring what happened to Alistair.
I also found the characterisation poor, in particular the female characters who seemed vapid and insubstantial. Even the supposedly lethal Annika was curiousy unthreatening - we were told she was very tall several times, so at least she stood out a bit. But that was part of the problem. We were told things about the characters rather than shown and as a result they became cardboard cutouts.
May 9, 2020
This thriller will make you think twice before going traveling abroad on your own - or obsessing over an ex.
Alistair is an average twenty-two-year-old British student unable to overcome a breakup with his girlfriend Ellie. He becomes so obsessed with getting Ellie back that he follows her to Greece where she is vacationing. However, everything that could go wrong does just that; Alistair is robbed of all his possessions at a drunken cruise party and instead of reporting it to the police, blinded with the need to find Ellie, he stays and gets some odd jobs... That is, until he unknowingly becomes involved with a powerful criminal organization and gets framed for a number of felonies. With the police being paid off by the criminals, Alistair has no choice but to play the game much bigger than himself.
There were for sure some holes in the story that require you to suspend your disbelief, which I don't want to spoil here. However, "The Lizard" is full of unexpected twists and turns which, paired with the gorgeous setting of the Greek islands, is a brilliant combo. Thankfully, the resolution with Ellie was realistic and not cheesy or predictable. And finally, I really liked the fact that the author kept the suspense high all throughout, including the chilling ending which makes me want to scream for a part two.
*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Alistair is an average twenty-two-year-old British student unable to overcome a breakup with his girlfriend Ellie. He becomes so obsessed with getting Ellie back that he follows her to Greece where she is vacationing. However, everything that could go wrong does just that; Alistair is robbed of all his possessions at a drunken cruise party and instead of reporting it to the police, blinded with the need to find Ellie, he stays and gets some odd jobs... That is, until he unknowingly becomes involved with a powerful criminal organization and gets framed for a number of felonies. With the police being paid off by the criminals, Alistair has no choice but to play the game much bigger than himself.
There were for sure some holes in the story that require you to suspend your disbelief, which I don't want to spoil here. However, "The Lizard" is full of unexpected twists and turns which, paired with the gorgeous setting of the Greek islands, is a brilliant combo. Thankfully, the resolution with Ellie was realistic and not cheesy or predictable. And finally, I really liked the fact that the author kept the suspense high all throughout, including the chilling ending which makes me want to scream for a part two.
*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2020
This book was good on many levels. It was well-written. The pacing was excellent, constantly pulling you further into the hero's saga. The characters were well drawn so that I could submerge myself into the story. I loved the idea that it was born out of the author's past experience bumming around the Greek island of Paros and getting chased by a gang of knife-brandishing locals.
So, we have Alistair Haston, heading off to Greece, chasing after his girlfriend, Ellie, who dumped him. He is robbed on a ferry and loses everything (passport, money) and doesn't want to report the theft because it will interfere with his staying on the island and proving to Ellie that he is not the do-nothing guy she left. He meets Rick, a fellow traveler from Australia who offers him a job, no ID needed, recruiting models for Rick's eccentric employer to paint. Haston accepts. He soon finds that painting is the least of what the employer has on his mind and, after being drawn into a world of wild parties, drugs, sex and violence, discovers that he has naively and willingly walked into horrendous personal danger.
What didn't work for me was Haston's abrupt transformation from boring student into a wild and reckless party guy. Nor did the amount of beatings and abuse that he took. I found the gratuitous violence to be a distraction from a good plot.
Would I read this author again? Yes. He's a good writer. I'd try him again.
So, we have Alistair Haston, heading off to Greece, chasing after his girlfriend, Ellie, who dumped him. He is robbed on a ferry and loses everything (passport, money) and doesn't want to report the theft because it will interfere with his staying on the island and proving to Ellie that he is not the do-nothing guy she left. He meets Rick, a fellow traveler from Australia who offers him a job, no ID needed, recruiting models for Rick's eccentric employer to paint. Haston accepts. He soon finds that painting is the least of what the employer has on his mind and, after being drawn into a world of wild parties, drugs, sex and violence, discovers that he has naively and willingly walked into horrendous personal danger.
What didn't work for me was Haston's abrupt transformation from boring student into a wild and reckless party guy. Nor did the amount of beatings and abuse that he took. I found the gratuitous violence to be a distraction from a good plot.
Would I read this author again? Yes. He's a good writer. I'd try him again.
November 9, 2020
Alastair is a student in his 20s, distraught after being dumped by his girlfriend. They had planned to go to the Greek islands in the summer and he decides to go on his own to see if he can win her back.
He’s never gone away on his own before and is very trusting of the other travellers he meets. This doesn’t go well as he’s mugged and has lost all his money and passport.
After an unsuccessful job hunt, he meets a charming Australian guy who offers him easy money. All he has to do is recruit models to be painted by a very wealthy artist as part of an ‘art project’. Of course, there’s more to the project than meets the eye and it turns out to be a very sordid set up.
I found the book easy to read but found the sailing terminology spoiled the flow a bit for me and I wondered if it was necessary.
It’s quite fast paced and the plot makes me think of the style of a film. Poor Alastair has quite the time of it!
There are a lot of characters and I got a bit confused as to how they were connected and those parts lost me a bit. I didn’t really like any of the characters and found Alastair’s transformation from meek, lovestruck student to wannabe badass a bit ridiculous.
I found some parts were quite unbelievable and it was a bit too convenient how it played out. The plot seemed to get more outlandish as the story went on.
Overall, the book was OK but not for me.
Thanks to Muswell Press and NetGalley for a copy for review.
He’s never gone away on his own before and is very trusting of the other travellers he meets. This doesn’t go well as he’s mugged and has lost all his money and passport.
After an unsuccessful job hunt, he meets a charming Australian guy who offers him easy money. All he has to do is recruit models to be painted by a very wealthy artist as part of an ‘art project’. Of course, there’s more to the project than meets the eye and it turns out to be a very sordid set up.
I found the book easy to read but found the sailing terminology spoiled the flow a bit for me and I wondered if it was necessary.
It’s quite fast paced and the plot makes me think of the style of a film. Poor Alastair has quite the time of it!
There are a lot of characters and I got a bit confused as to how they were connected and those parts lost me a bit. I didn’t really like any of the characters and found Alastair’s transformation from meek, lovestruck student to wannabe badass a bit ridiculous.
I found some parts were quite unbelievable and it was a bit too convenient how it played out. The plot seemed to get more outlandish as the story went on.
Overall, the book was OK but not for me.
Thanks to Muswell Press and NetGalley for a copy for review.
May 6, 2020
Alistair Haston (with a silent 'H'), gets dumped by his girlfriend before she heads off to Greece on holiday. So he decides to go travelling (not stalking) in Greece. But, he gets mugged somewhere between Athens and Paros and loses his money, passport, etc.
When a charismatic Australian that Alistair met on the ferry shows up and offers him a lucrative, cash in hand job Alistair jumps at the opportunity. Quickly wrapped up in a world of alcohol, sex, drugs and videotapes Alistair ends up in the frame for a series of horrific murders and on the run from the police.
This book starts with Alistair being quite a bit of a wimpy, whiny, entitled, pathetic loser. He then displays a remarkable and unrealistic ability to survive on nothing. However, when the Aussie turns up the book picks up pace really well and is quite a page-turner. I was eager to see what would happen next and how the book would end. Speaking of which, the end had a tasty little twist that I hadn't seen coming.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I believe it is a first novel for the author. It's a great debut and I'm interested in where the author goes next.
I received a free, pre-release copy of #TheLizard by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Published by #MuswellPress this book is available from 7th May 2020.
When a charismatic Australian that Alistair met on the ferry shows up and offers him a lucrative, cash in hand job Alistair jumps at the opportunity. Quickly wrapped up in a world of alcohol, sex, drugs and videotapes Alistair ends up in the frame for a series of horrific murders and on the run from the police.
This book starts with Alistair being quite a bit of a wimpy, whiny, entitled, pathetic loser. He then displays a remarkable and unrealistic ability to survive on nothing. However, when the Aussie turns up the book picks up pace really well and is quite a page-turner. I was eager to see what would happen next and how the book would end. Speaking of which, the end had a tasty little twist that I hadn't seen coming.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and I believe it is a first novel for the author. It's a great debut and I'm interested in where the author goes next.
I received a free, pre-release copy of #TheLizard by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Published by #MuswellPress this book is available from 7th May 2020.
May 21, 2020
Thank you so much to Bloomsbury Australia for providing me with a copy of The Lizard, in exchange for an honest review!
Alistair is just hoping to ‘accidentally’ bump into his girlfriend, who recently dumped him, when he heads off on holidays to Greece. But his plans take a turn for the worse when he has all his money and passport stolen on the first night. Not wanting to alert the embassy that his passport is missing, for fear that they may send him home and cut his trip short, he jumps at the chance to make some easy cash, when an Australian stranger offers him a job, finding models for a rich painter. Although his moral compass is knocked askew when he realises the painter has more than just painting in mind for the models, he needs the money, so continues with the job.
On the morning he wakes up to an empty house after a party, he is arrested without knowing why. The police won’t tell him anything, he can’t contact anyone and has no idea what to do. By the time they tell him a body has been found and he is the prime suspect, the evidence has already mounted around him and he knows he needs to escape.
A thrilling mystery with a range of unlikable characters, The Lizard brings to light one of my worst nightmares – being unable to prove you’ve been framed for something you didn’t do. The thought of this terrifies me and I found Alistair’s plight to be a tense and horrifying one. A fast paced book with plenty of action and suspense, this was a good one to read right now, while we can’t go overseas 😅
Alistair is just hoping to ‘accidentally’ bump into his girlfriend, who recently dumped him, when he heads off on holidays to Greece. But his plans take a turn for the worse when he has all his money and passport stolen on the first night. Not wanting to alert the embassy that his passport is missing, for fear that they may send him home and cut his trip short, he jumps at the chance to make some easy cash, when an Australian stranger offers him a job, finding models for a rich painter. Although his moral compass is knocked askew when he realises the painter has more than just painting in mind for the models, he needs the money, so continues with the job.
On the morning he wakes up to an empty house after a party, he is arrested without knowing why. The police won’t tell him anything, he can’t contact anyone and has no idea what to do. By the time they tell him a body has been found and he is the prime suspect, the evidence has already mounted around him and he knows he needs to escape.
A thrilling mystery with a range of unlikable characters, The Lizard brings to light one of my worst nightmares – being unable to prove you’ve been framed for something you didn’t do. The thought of this terrifies me and I found Alistair’s plight to be a tense and horrifying one. A fast paced book with plenty of action and suspense, this was a good one to read right now, while we can’t go overseas 😅
April 21, 2020
A teenage lad , Alistair , after splitting from his girlfriend Ellie because he can't decide about going on holiday to the Greek Islands decides to go by himself and surprise her later on . He meets up with some people on a ferry to the first island and gets drunk . This leads to him falling asleep and having all his money and passport stolen . He decides not to report it and manages to get a job on a building site . One of the lads from the boat called Ricky meets him and offers him a job recruiting people to model for his boss , an artist . They all get involved in drunken drug fuelled parties but after one everybody disappears from the villa leaving Alistair abandoned . A body is found and Alistair becomes chief suspect and goes on the run from the police . He meets up with another man ,Roland ,who is trying to find out what happened to his brother who disappeared earlier , all his research has led him to suspect Ricky and his boss , but there is also evidence of police corruption . He is eventually dragged in to meet up with Ellie again who has unsuspectingly been drawn in to Ricky's web and he tries to rescue her .An exciting story with many twists to the plot .
May 15, 2020
Being at the end of the second month of lockdown, I gobbled up The Lizard in record time! This was the injection of excitement I needed. I felt the hot Greek sun on my skin and took part, vicariously, through a deadly survival course as experienced by Alistair Haston, a university student off on holiday after his girlfriend breaks his heart. Why Greece? Because that's where Ellie wanted to take him before crushing his dreams. He hopes to run into her there and disabuse her of any thoughts she may have entertained about his lack of fitness as a boyfriend.
What he gets is worlds away from what he intended but it is the perfect guilty pleasure to sink into with an ice cold beer in hand. This smart thriller is filled with all kinds of low-life criminal happenings and Alistair must change his stripes to survive. Gripping and full of action, this is just what I wanted. I look forward to the next outting by the talented Dugald Bruce-Lockhart. A pulse-pounding adventure is the cure for these difficult times!
What he gets is worlds away from what he intended but it is the perfect guilty pleasure to sink into with an ice cold beer in hand. This smart thriller is filled with all kinds of low-life criminal happenings and Alistair must change his stripes to survive. Gripping and full of action, this is just what I wanted. I look forward to the next outting by the talented Dugald Bruce-Lockhart. A pulse-pounding adventure is the cure for these difficult times!
May 6, 2020
This was a very well written, fast paced book, which definitely lays on the more disturbing side of books! It you’re like me and love those dark, brutal reads, then you will absolutely love this book! It’s intense, chilling, thrilling, and shocking, and unputdownable throughout! I would never have guessed that it was a debut author, but him using real life experiences really helped show reality in the book! It wasn’t quite a 5 star read for me, but one I do highly recommend!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms and use my low Amazon reviewer number on release date!
Will make sure to buzz it up on all the different platforms and use my low Amazon reviewer number on release date!
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