Slow Roll

by Simon Lendrum

It seemed a simple request. ”Can you find my daughter who has run away?” But for professional gambler O’Malley, life isn’t that simple.There is the murder of one of his poker partners, the attention of drug dealers, money launderers, the police, the gangs, and just to top it all off there is his intriguing girlfriend Claire, who just seems to be better at part-time sleuthing than he is.No, nothing is simple for O’Malley.A brilliantly written and intriguing debut crime novel, set in Auckland and featuring two lead characters with intelligence and empathy who just leave you wanting more to read.

Genres: Crime, Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

Published July 14, 2022

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously loved this book. It has all the elements I like in a well told story. A main character you can engage with and enough action to keep you turning the pages.
O’Malley is a professional gambler, he plays the high stakes table taking his losses with his wins. When he is asked to find a missing girl he is reluctant but Mr Tupuola can be persuasive with his deference and humility . This simple investigation leads to drug dealers, money launderers and those in high up places. Nothing is simple. O’Malleys girlfriend Claire seems to have a knack for the sleuthing as well and the pair make a good partnership.
The Slow Roll is set primarily in and around Auckland but is by no means parochial. The casino features heavily and there are trips to the suburbs and further afield. It’s a great tale and deserves a wide readership.

[Jeannie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now know a little more about the gambling world than I did! Set in Auckland, O`Malley is a gambler, living on his earnings (so he's doing okay), negotiating his relationship with feisty, capable, competent Claire and doing some private detective work on the side.
He happens to be one of the last people to see a murder victim alive and given his past, the police seem to naturally gravitate towards him as their likely suspect. Meanwhile, he's asked to find a missing girl. O`Malley can't say no - and it goes downhill from there.
Quick-paced, smart dialogue, slick plot - a good read.

[Bob George · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first book and it is excellent. The right pace for a thriller. Simon Lendrum slowly rolls out the background stories that bring the story to life. The main character Roy O'Malley doesnt get fully named until chapter 10; everyone calls him O'Malley though it turns out there is of course a complex and difficult background; we slowly learn he has been in prison; and he is one of those characters that does his best to avoid danger and conflict and just falls into it all the time while trying to do the right thing.
Brilliant book. Well done Simon; I cant wait for the next book and hope we get more of O'Malley and Claire - the private detectives- (do we ever learn her second name?) Jimmy Tua the gang boss and the gamblers Chinese Steve and dark mood Sunny

[Brian Macrae · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great ride. I was shocked to discover that it was written by a first-time author. He does a fantastic job of weaving a few different story lines together in a way that it plausible, without depending on coincidence. The mystery unfolds gradually and naturally and we are still learning about the character's personality traits right up to the end, but it never feels like crucial information is being withheld for the sake of the mystery. I look forward to seeing what the author creates next.

[BookChookNZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book for my school library after seeing it on the Whitcoulls Top 100. I absolutely loved this book, and really hope there are more stories coming about O'Malley and Claire.
Edited to add that looking now at the Whitcoulls Top 100 I can’t find it on there, so I’m not sure what list I saw it on earlier this year, but I am very glad I did! (Has since appeared on The Spinoff's summer reading list of local crime books)

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

He writes like this. He starts every sentence with "he". He also uses adjectives as single-word sentences. Excessively.

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Sorry, I couldn't resist parodying the writing. But once you notice the pattern, it gets very annoying. There's an okay mystery here, a sort of Kiwi-Parker novel, hidden under some humdrum writing.

[Tash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4. Great start for a debut novel!

[Aimee McCammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crisp writing, compelling characters and a rollicking good read. Looking forward to the next instalment and the TV show...

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

NZ author, mystery, debut novel.
Really enjoyed the story :)

[Lynne Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, multi-plot and easy read with a level of interest for those familiar with Auckland

[Fiona Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read. Loved that I knew so many places

[Susan Wilson]

Great NZ crime read. Loved it.

[Karen]

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...

[Cameron Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling, fast paced, and fun.
I also really enjoyed it because it's the first book I've ever read that is set in the city that I live in!