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Tick-Tock Trilogy #1
Midday
Vincent Butler and Ryan Harkness assume they are waking up to a regular working day when their alarm beeps at seven a.m.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
Within minutes, Ryan’s life is at stake after wannabe gangster Darragh Galligan forces his way into their plush apartment. He informs them he will be holding Ryan at gunpoint while Vincent is tasked with carrying out a record-breaking heist.
Vincent must visit the vaults of each of the four bank branches he works at to steal them of eight million euros.
If he doesn’t follow orders, Ryan will be killed.
He doesn’t have long.
He only has until Midday.
And the clock is ticking…
MIDDAY is a story all revealed in real time.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
Within minutes, Ryan’s life is at stake after wannabe gangster Darragh Galligan forces his way into their plush apartment. He informs them he will be holding Ryan at gunpoint while Vincent is tasked with carrying out a record-breaking heist.
Vincent must visit the vaults of each of the four bank branches he works at to steal them of eight million euros.
If he doesn’t follow orders, Ryan will be killed.
He doesn’t have long.
He only has until Midday.
And the clock is ticking…
MIDDAY is a story all revealed in real time.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2019
275 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
David B. Lyons
25 books140 followersDavid B. Lyons is an international bestselling author from Dublin, Ireland
He writes psychological thriller novels and has achieved No.1 rankings in the Amazon crime charts in Ireland, the UK, Canada and Australia.
Former freelance journalist David grew up in Dublin - the city his novels are set - but currently spends his time between Birmingham in the UK and the Irish capital. David is married to a Brummie, Kerry, and they have one daughter, Lola.
Before becoming a novelist David was a football writer, a celebrity columnist and a music reviewer. He has lectured in Journalism and in Creative Writing in colleges and universities in both Ireland and in the UK.
You can connect with David here:
Website: TheOpenAuthor.com
Twitter: @TheOpenAuthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorDavidBLyons/
He writes psychological thriller novels and has achieved No.1 rankings in the Amazon crime charts in Ireland, the UK, Canada and Australia.
Former freelance journalist David grew up in Dublin - the city his novels are set - but currently spends his time between Birmingham in the UK and the Irish capital. David is married to a Brummie, Kerry, and they have one daughter, Lola.
Before becoming a novelist David was a football writer, a celebrity columnist and a music reviewer. He has lectured in Journalism and in Creative Writing in colleges and universities in both Ireland and in the UK.
You can connect with David here:
Website: TheOpenAuthor.com
Twitter: @TheOpenAuthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorDavidBLyons/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 23, 2023
4.25 Stars — Something different, something good!
I took my time with my cogitation on this one. But in the end, despite some challenges around its conclusion I had to go with my gut & how the made me feel whikst in its clutches!
This was a truly funny, entertaining, heartwarming, heartbreaking ride through the great prose that slings with four superbly mapped/out characters to mesh together into a captivating thriller! This one is told from four different character viewpoints, this juicy Irish thriller centres around a tiger-kidnapping-robbery whereby a male couple are unexpectedly attacked in their home one morning whisky eating breakfast. Vincent, a Bank Manager — is then force to rob us own bank, four branches for $2M each, whisk this partner is held at gun-point.
This is a stylistic choice they may split many readers, with each unique and bold character perspective being told in the first-person. Lyons writes with a subtly that’s rather intoxicating, with each of the four characters well and truly hiding their own and all seemingly capable of being a lead I. Their own right such is the wonderful contrast, pacing changes and overall completely different viewpoints that are all riddled together and apart at once, inc backstory that al ties together beautifully to weave a detailed, deep web of a narrative that holds you right until the very end.
Enjoying this on audible, with perhaps Teo of the best narrators around in Aiden Kelly and my current favourite Brendan McDonald — I hate a joy of a time being entrenched in these characters minds, each offering something fresh and exciting, with background characterisation facets that rival any in the genre.
A controversial ending that took me some time or get behind, this one is a romp of a read that feels like a guilty pleasure but really shouldn’t be, such is the skill of the writer. Both the victim and robber perspectives are evenly matched, as well as behaving a myriad of contrasting personalities that ultimately make this a novel worthy of more attention.
I’m seeing so many high ratings lately, largely due to me being far more selective in what I read and reviewing novels I finish (I no longer persist with novels I’m not enjoying unless I see a reason or a chance a recovery), therefore the higher ratings — but it does seem like the crime-fiction novel really has gone to a whole new level this past 24
Months or so — And I’m glad I can benefit from being she to read what excites me thanks to GR, Bookstagram, etc that’s for sure.
Reading this amidst some heavier Literary Fiction, I must admit it was hard to return to Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat, such was the level of fun I had here.
I took my time with my cogitation on this one. But in the end, despite some challenges around its conclusion I had to go with my gut & how the made me feel whikst in its clutches!
This was a truly funny, entertaining, heartwarming, heartbreaking ride through the great prose that slings with four superbly mapped/out characters to mesh together into a captivating thriller! This one is told from four different character viewpoints, this juicy Irish thriller centres around a tiger-kidnapping-robbery whereby a male couple are unexpectedly attacked in their home one morning whisky eating breakfast. Vincent, a Bank Manager — is then force to rob us own bank, four branches for $2M each, whisk this partner is held at gun-point.
This is a stylistic choice they may split many readers, with each unique and bold character perspective being told in the first-person. Lyons writes with a subtly that’s rather intoxicating, with each of the four characters well and truly hiding their own and all seemingly capable of being a lead I. Their own right such is the wonderful contrast, pacing changes and overall completely different viewpoints that are all riddled together and apart at once, inc backstory that al ties together beautifully to weave a detailed, deep web of a narrative that holds you right until the very end.
Enjoying this on audible, with perhaps Teo of the best narrators around in Aiden Kelly and my current favourite Brendan McDonald — I hate a joy of a time being entrenched in these characters minds, each offering something fresh and exciting, with background characterisation facets that rival any in the genre.
A controversial ending that took me some time or get behind, this one is a romp of a read that feels like a guilty pleasure but really shouldn’t be, such is the skill of the writer. Both the victim and robber perspectives are evenly matched, as well as behaving a myriad of contrasting personalities that ultimately make this a novel worthy of more attention.
I’m seeing so many high ratings lately, largely due to me being far more selective in what I read and reviewing novels I finish (I no longer persist with novels I’m not enjoying unless I see a reason or a chance a recovery), therefore the higher ratings — but it does seem like the crime-fiction novel really has gone to a whole new level this past 24
Months or so — And I’m glad I can benefit from being she to read what excites me thanks to GR, Bookstagram, etc that’s for sure.
Reading this amidst some heavier Literary Fiction, I must admit it was hard to return to Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat, such was the level of fun I had here.
March 24, 2018
Well, now. What a fabulous and unexpected surprise this was!
Vincent wakes up every morning, knowing fully well what his day is going to look like. But on this particular morning, things take a nasty turn when he and his boyfriend are the victims of a tiger kidnapping. Vincent works as a bank manager and has until midday to collect 8 million euros from four different branches around Dublin, while his boyfriend is being held at gun point.
The clock is ticking. Tick-tock.
It becomes apparent quite early on that things aren’t all what they seem. But apart from one part of the storyline I thought I had figured out reasonably quickly, the rest of the story had me guessing until the end and holy cow, I so did not see that one coming at all! Well played, sir!
This gritty and gripping tale is told through the eyes of four different people : Vincent, his boyfriend Ryan and each of the two gangsters. Little by little, things are revealed that pulled this story into a completely different direction than I was expecting and I loved every minute of it. Midday has a fantastically crafted plot and a great pace, helped enormously by the characters often checking the time which ultimately had me on the edge of my seat as well. I could almost hear the clocks ticking away the precious minutes.
Did I mention nothing is what it seems? You think you know where your loyalties lie but I promise you, they will shift and switch. What an utterly clever book this is. There are some uncomfortable topics in this one, as well as a few instances that almost made me gag and made me want to wash my eyes out with bleach. But above all, this is an intelligent and original crime thriller with a difference and I found it immensely compelling, engrossing and entertaining!
Vincent wakes up every morning, knowing fully well what his day is going to look like. But on this particular morning, things take a nasty turn when he and his boyfriend are the victims of a tiger kidnapping. Vincent works as a bank manager and has until midday to collect 8 million euros from four different branches around Dublin, while his boyfriend is being held at gun point.
The clock is ticking. Tick-tock.
It becomes apparent quite early on that things aren’t all what they seem. But apart from one part of the storyline I thought I had figured out reasonably quickly, the rest of the story had me guessing until the end and holy cow, I so did not see that one coming at all! Well played, sir!
This gritty and gripping tale is told through the eyes of four different people : Vincent, his boyfriend Ryan and each of the two gangsters. Little by little, things are revealed that pulled this story into a completely different direction than I was expecting and I loved every minute of it. Midday has a fantastically crafted plot and a great pace, helped enormously by the characters often checking the time which ultimately had me on the edge of my seat as well. I could almost hear the clocks ticking away the precious minutes.
Did I mention nothing is what it seems? You think you know where your loyalties lie but I promise you, they will shift and switch. What an utterly clever book this is. There are some uncomfortable topics in this one, as well as a few instances that almost made me gag and made me want to wash my eyes out with bleach. But above all, this is an intelligent and original crime thriller with a difference and I found it immensely compelling, engrossing and entertaining!
March 22, 2018
Midday is a story set over the course of a morning in alternating chapters between four main characters told in the first person. I’m not usually a lover of stories told in the first person but have to say it worked really well in this instance.
Through the alternating chapters, we get to know more about each person. Vincent and Ryan are partners living in a swanky apartment. Vincent is high up in the bank he works for where as Ryan is a wannabe writer. To start with I didn’t know who I felt more sorry for, Vincent in his frenzied efforts to get the money together to pay the ransom, or Ryan who is held up with a potential murderer if Vincent doesn’t get the money in time. I have to admit the further I got into it the more I felt for Vincent rather than Ryan.
Darrgh and Jack are the criminals. Darragh all I can say certainly wasn’t in the front of the queue when brains were given out, the mastermind is very much Jack’s side of things. Jack is very much a mystery and the author certainly doesn’t give to much away where he is concerned. Darragh on the other hand was very much, what you see is what you get. Sometimes in crime books you develop a bit of a soft spot or empathy for some of the criminals but this definitely wasn’t the case when it came to Darragh. I had absolutely no respect for him whatsoever.
Midday is packed full of suspense and tension. It builds up to quite a spectacular finale of which you could have knocked me over with a feather! I have to admit I never envisioned the surprises that the author held in store for me and my enjoyment intensified towards the truly gripping end.
Through the alternating chapters, we get to know more about each person. Vincent and Ryan are partners living in a swanky apartment. Vincent is high up in the bank he works for where as Ryan is a wannabe writer. To start with I didn’t know who I felt more sorry for, Vincent in his frenzied efforts to get the money together to pay the ransom, or Ryan who is held up with a potential murderer if Vincent doesn’t get the money in time. I have to admit the further I got into it the more I felt for Vincent rather than Ryan.
Darrgh and Jack are the criminals. Darragh all I can say certainly wasn’t in the front of the queue when brains were given out, the mastermind is very much Jack’s side of things. Jack is very much a mystery and the author certainly doesn’t give to much away where he is concerned. Darragh on the other hand was very much, what you see is what you get. Sometimes in crime books you develop a bit of a soft spot or empathy for some of the criminals but this definitely wasn’t the case when it came to Darragh. I had absolutely no respect for him whatsoever.
Midday is packed full of suspense and tension. It builds up to quite a spectacular finale of which you could have knocked me over with a feather! I have to admit I never envisioned the surprises that the author held in store for me and my enjoyment intensified towards the truly gripping end.
April 6, 2023
Another fabulous book from David B Lyons. Told from 4 different perspective this book twists and turns throughout and the suspense builds momentum every page.
August 28, 2019
Well having read 'What Ever Happened to Betsy Blake', which rocketed to my top read of this year, I had to take a step back and go to the debut before it. Believe me, this was not a disappointment.
The story centres around four main characters, Vincent, who is the manager over four bank branches in Dublin. Ryan, Vincent's partner for the last ten years. Jack, the brains behind the Tiger heist they about to take part in and Darragh the muscle of this duo gang. A Tiger heist is where the manager of a bank's family is held in their home hostage, while the manager goes to withdraw money from the bank to give to the robbers. The story is told both in the past and present by each of the four characters.
Oh boy, David Lyons, the author, doesn't mess about as you are plunged straight in there, one minute I was thinking I was going to get to know Vincent and Ryan over breakfast then and I thought ok perhaps not as Darragh arrives definitely meaning business. Vincent has to collect 2 million euros from each of the four branches he heads and get back to their penthouse flat before midday or Ryan will be killed. The time is ticking away.
What I loved about this book was it took round about the same amount of time to read as the time that the money had to be back to the flat. Believe me, it didn't feel long at all. Each of these characters had their own story to tell of how they got to where they all are. Darragh you wouldn't want to meet on a bright sunny day never mind holding a gun at you. He really is not right in the head and it isn't long before Ryan has him weighed up.
This is one edge of your seat reads that I felt everything could go wrong at any moment. Just one bank not complying with Vincent's very dodgy plan to get the money without raising suspicion, the traffic and the chance of Vincent keeling over with a heart attack with the pressure he was under. Most of all though I feared for Ryan with the looney Darragh. It was like I could hear every second ticking away and getting louder with each one.
Absolutely love this author's books, do yourself a favour and just dive in. Superb!
The story centres around four main characters, Vincent, who is the manager over four bank branches in Dublin. Ryan, Vincent's partner for the last ten years. Jack, the brains behind the Tiger heist they about to take part in and Darragh the muscle of this duo gang. A Tiger heist is where the manager of a bank's family is held in their home hostage, while the manager goes to withdraw money from the bank to give to the robbers. The story is told both in the past and present by each of the four characters.
Oh boy, David Lyons, the author, doesn't mess about as you are plunged straight in there, one minute I was thinking I was going to get to know Vincent and Ryan over breakfast then and I thought ok perhaps not as Darragh arrives definitely meaning business. Vincent has to collect 2 million euros from each of the four branches he heads and get back to their penthouse flat before midday or Ryan will be killed. The time is ticking away.
What I loved about this book was it took round about the same amount of time to read as the time that the money had to be back to the flat. Believe me, it didn't feel long at all. Each of these characters had their own story to tell of how they got to where they all are. Darragh you wouldn't want to meet on a bright sunny day never mind holding a gun at you. He really is not right in the head and it isn't long before Ryan has him weighed up.
This is one edge of your seat reads that I felt everything could go wrong at any moment. Just one bank not complying with Vincent's very dodgy plan to get the money without raising suspicion, the traffic and the chance of Vincent keeling over with a heart attack with the pressure he was under. Most of all though I feared for Ryan with the looney Darragh. It was like I could hear every second ticking away and getting louder with each one.
Absolutely love this author's books, do yourself a favour and just dive in. Superb!
March 23, 2018
MIDDAY by David B. Lyons is a thrilling, energetic story with plenty of surprises along the way to keep you glued to the page.
Vincent has a prestigious job in charge of four banks in Dublin City and lives the high life with his lover, Ryan, in their beautiful penthouse. He likes his life a certain way and routine is key. So when he hears his doorbell ring before work one morning it is a little unusual and when he finds himself staring down the wrong end of a gun, his morning has definitely taken a turn for the worst.
For two criminals have been watching Vincent and Ryan and demanded that Vincent take part in the biggest bank heist Ireland has ever seen. If Vincent doesn't do what he is told, Ryan will be murdered. Oh, and the clock is ticking so there is no time to waste ...
Set over the course of this particular morning, each chapter tells us the time and is told from one of the four main characters points of view. Well-paced with plenty of tension and intrigue, we are soon caught up in the action and I have to say I felt sorrier for Vincent then Ryan most of the time. The two criminals are Jack and Daragh, with Jack being the brains behind it all and Daragh being a completely unlikeable character from start to finish. What I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that even though we know the general plot going in, there are still true moments of shock and surprise that I certainly did not see coming which is essential in a good crime story. I also loved that it was based in Ireland too!
MIDDAY by David. B. Lyons is definitely a great read and I look forward to more from this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Vincent has a prestigious job in charge of four banks in Dublin City and lives the high life with his lover, Ryan, in their beautiful penthouse. He likes his life a certain way and routine is key. So when he hears his doorbell ring before work one morning it is a little unusual and when he finds himself staring down the wrong end of a gun, his morning has definitely taken a turn for the worst.
For two criminals have been watching Vincent and Ryan and demanded that Vincent take part in the biggest bank heist Ireland has ever seen. If Vincent doesn't do what he is told, Ryan will be murdered. Oh, and the clock is ticking so there is no time to waste ...
Set over the course of this particular morning, each chapter tells us the time and is told from one of the four main characters points of view. Well-paced with plenty of tension and intrigue, we are soon caught up in the action and I have to say I felt sorrier for Vincent then Ryan most of the time. The two criminals are Jack and Daragh, with Jack being the brains behind it all and Daragh being a completely unlikeable character from start to finish. What I really enjoyed about this book was the fact that even though we know the general plot going in, there are still true moments of shock and surprise that I certainly did not see coming which is essential in a good crime story. I also loved that it was based in Ireland too!
MIDDAY by David. B. Lyons is definitely a great read and I look forward to more from this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
March 24, 2018
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As soon as I saw the blurb for this book I was intrigued and couldn't wait to get stuck in!
The book has four main characters and the book is told from each of their points of view in alternative chapters. The four are a varied mix and each had their strengths and at times I did feel for them all, then you get to know more about them and my views certainly changed and I started to detest two of them greatly!
It is well written, full of suspense and I loved how much was packed in the story. The pace was spot on and it was gripping in just the right places.
Five stars from me, it was going to be 4.5 but the ending bumped it up for me - I did not see the twist coming - excellent!!
As soon as I saw the blurb for this book I was intrigued and couldn't wait to get stuck in!
The book has four main characters and the book is told from each of their points of view in alternative chapters. The four are a varied mix and each had their strengths and at times I did feel for them all, then you get to know more about them and my views certainly changed and I started to detest two of them greatly!
It is well written, full of suspense and I loved how much was packed in the story. The pace was spot on and it was gripping in just the right places.
Five stars from me, it was going to be 4.5 but the ending bumped it up for me - I did not see the twist coming - excellent!!
March 26, 2018
Midday is written by an accomplished writer of plot, character development and dialogue. I could not put it down and I found myself flittering through the pages and short chapters (loved them!) so that I could keep up with the pace of a morning's bank heist. Loved that it was set in Ireland and I liked that the characters shocked and repulsed me... in places. You can tell that the author took time and patience with this book. Definite must read for all those who love crime fiction.
March 22, 2018
Four distinct voices
Four different characters
Four sides of the same story to be told.
5 hours to play!
I loved the whole concept of Midday from beginning to end.
The grit, tension, fear played out within the pages and my imagination at setting the scenes took over. I could see it as a movie.
The characters played their parts extremely well, it was clear as to who was telling us their side of the story, I loved the slight overlap from seeing it from the different points of view.
An extremely well paced story, that had me feeling sorry for all characters at various points. Even if I didn’t agree with their actions, there was empathy.
I read so many crime novels, to find one told in a refreshingly different way, that is well written, captivating and gritty to its core, it ticked all the boxes for me.
This is one book, that really would play out well on the big screen, for now for me it is the Tarantino of the book world, full of macho, controversy, modern and hedonistic! Loved it. Fabulous debut novel.
Four different characters
Four sides of the same story to be told.
5 hours to play!
I loved the whole concept of Midday from beginning to end.
The grit, tension, fear played out within the pages and my imagination at setting the scenes took over. I could see it as a movie.
The characters played their parts extremely well, it was clear as to who was telling us their side of the story, I loved the slight overlap from seeing it from the different points of view.
An extremely well paced story, that had me feeling sorry for all characters at various points. Even if I didn’t agree with their actions, there was empathy.
I read so many crime novels, to find one told in a refreshingly different way, that is well written, captivating and gritty to its core, it ticked all the boxes for me.
This is one book, that really would play out well on the big screen, for now for me it is the Tarantino of the book world, full of macho, controversy, modern and hedonistic! Loved it. Fabulous debut novel.
February 27, 2018
Vincent and Ryan lead a happy life- so they think about each other. Vincent is in charge of four banks in Dublin although originally his heart was far from going into the financial sector. Ryan, his partner, was in PR but left after Vincent encouraged him to do what he had always wanted to- write a book. However for the last 19 months he has sat and done nothing. Jack (JR) has lost his wife who was the daughter of one of Dublin’s gangland bosses whom no-one messed with. Darragh has dreams of owning a penthouse similar to the one Vincent and Ryan live in. The easiest way of achieving this is to get Vincent to take two million euros from each of banks once morning and arrive back by midday- or Ryan will be shot. This is a very interesting premise and I like how it has been tackled. Each short snappy chapter is by one of the four main characters and gives a backstory to each of them so that you get to know them a little. Jack and Darragh although criminals have their own characters and life stories which makes them that little bit more real. Vincent and Ryan very different lives. I enjoyed this, it was a very different read. One to ponder after reading. A very well thought out scenario, well written.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/
or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1
March 23, 2018
This book takes you on a roller coaster ride. Full of suspense and tension it was a very different read from the normal thriller. Well and craftily written the conclusion was not at all what I expected. Thanks to Bloodhound books for enabling me to read this book.
October 22, 2019
I was really disappointed with this novel. Having read "Whatever Happened to Besty Blake" and not being able to put it down, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I struggled to persevere to the end. I did not find any of the characters likeable and the plot just didn't capture my attention. I felt like the "twist" at the end was a quick way to try and make the book appear deeper and more interesting, but it didn't give me that "oh, of course!" feeling - there was no real basis for it and it felt disjointed. Unfortunately I would not recommend this book to others, but I am still open to reading more from this author as I know he has a lot more to give.
March 25, 2018
An Unputdownable Read that will keep you guessing till the very end...
Bank manager Vincent lives in a beautiful penthouse with his boyfriend Ryan..Vincent is getting ready for work when there's a knock on the door..a gunman bursts in ..Vincent has until Midday to rob four banks of 8 million euros or Ryan will die. The gunman holding Ryan is a twisted little piece of vermin who is looking forward to blowing Ryan's brains out...But tick tock...the clock is moving and as Vincent rushes from one place to the next ...suspicions are aroused ..time seems to be in the forefront of Vincents mind...All through this story there are glimpses ,flashbacks to the past...Gangland Dublin bygone days...memories some so dark and soaked in blood...But who is pulling the strings...and will Ryan live or die...? Gripped from the very start...This is an unputdownable read that will keep you guessing till the end.....Lots of OMG moments....Tick tock....Brilliant...
Bank manager Vincent lives in a beautiful penthouse with his boyfriend Ryan..Vincent is getting ready for work when there's a knock on the door..a gunman bursts in ..Vincent has until Midday to rob four banks of 8 million euros or Ryan will die. The gunman holding Ryan is a twisted little piece of vermin who is looking forward to blowing Ryan's brains out...But tick tock...the clock is moving and as Vincent rushes from one place to the next ...suspicions are aroused ..time seems to be in the forefront of Vincents mind...All through this story there are glimpses ,flashbacks to the past...Gangland Dublin bygone days...memories some so dark and soaked in blood...But who is pulling the strings...and will Ryan live or die...? Gripped from the very start...This is an unputdownable read that will keep you guessing till the end.....Lots of OMG moments....Tick tock....Brilliant...
June 25, 2018
This is simply brilliant! Written from the perspective of four different characters involved in a tiger bank robbery.
Really enjoyed seeing the story from the different characters, Vincent the bank manager is to obtain 8 million Euros from the 4 banks he manages by midday or his partner Ryan will be killed by Darragh. Then there is Jack who is the mastermind behind the robbery.
The author sets the tension with the clock ticking to midday with time updates and the story told from the view of four different characters.
Full of twists and turns with an amazing finale.
Really enjoyed seeing the story from the different characters, Vincent the bank manager is to obtain 8 million Euros from the 4 banks he manages by midday or his partner Ryan will be killed by Darragh. Then there is Jack who is the mastermind behind the robbery.
The author sets the tension with the clock ticking to midday with time updates and the story told from the view of four different characters.
Full of twists and turns with an amazing finale.
March 19, 2018
Really loved the outcome of this book. The further into I read, the better it got.
My one negative about it is, when the story goes from past to present, it just happens. I personally would prefer a different style of text or something to just break to up so you know what's happening (a space between paragraphs from past to present). I just think it would make it that bit easier to read. Other than that it was very well thought out and written.
Another author to add to my must read list.
My one negative about it is, when the story goes from past to present, it just happens. I personally would prefer a different style of text or something to just break to up so you know what's happening (a space between paragraphs from past to present). I just think it would make it that bit easier to read. Other than that it was very well thought out and written.
Another author to add to my must read list.
March 25, 2018
Entertaining
A different reading for me, this was. The story is easy to fall into & I enjoyed the character buildup for 4 of the main characters. Each character was a unique person, whose attributes added flavor to the story.
A mix of tidy businessman meets dirty hoodlum.
Loved the twists & turns & it had my eyes popping wide open @ the climatic ending.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read & review!
A different reading for me, this was. The story is easy to fall into & I enjoyed the character buildup for 4 of the main characters. Each character was a unique person, whose attributes added flavor to the story.
A mix of tidy businessman meets dirty hoodlum.
Loved the twists & turns & it had my eyes popping wide open @ the climatic ending.
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to read & review!
July 1, 2020
Brimming with tension
A well written and heart racing heist thriller. I won't give away any plot points, but the four main characters are well fleshed out and the tension builds to a fantastic finale.
Excellent read and highly recommended.
A well written and heart racing heist thriller. I won't give away any plot points, but the four main characters are well fleshed out and the tension builds to a fantastic finale.
Excellent read and highly recommended.
March 27, 2021
Great read
Enjoyed this book, already read the 2nd in the series but reading out of order didn't matter. Great storyline and plot.
Enjoyed this book, already read the 2nd in the series but reading out of order didn't matter. Great storyline and plot.
January 21, 2020
Brilliant. Read Betsy Blake now need to read Suicide Pact
February 21, 2019
I simply cannot understand how can this book be so good! The story got hold of me from the first chapter. And never for a second did it let me lose my interest. This book played like a movie in my head. I love how the chapters are structured- short, fast paced countdown format with point of views shuffling between the four main characters – Vincent, Ryan, Jack and Darragh. Because of this continuous shift in perspective, we get to know more about the characters and their choices. I loved how each chapter is divided into one-third sections, with the first and third sections being present day and placed seamless between them are the flashbacks. And oh the characters! I felt all the emotions I could feel for these characters. I loved how the focus was only on the four men and their doings. There were no unnecessary fillers. Each character added their flavour to the mix and made this book so much more fun to read. My brain being my brain, I tried to puzzle out who these characters actually are and what are they upto, but I was clean bowled by the author who was way ahead of me. Also, plus point to the author for making the couple a gay one. This was my first read which had gay characters and I didn’t mind it at all. We need more books with more LGBT representations.
The premise of this book is such that till the 50% mark you are only worried about how Vincent is going to do what he is been ordered to. After the mid point, new twists and turns come into play and make things even more interesting than the on-going robbery itself. The last 30% I swore (in my head, of course, couldn’t let others hear me), I paced around the room to calm myself down, and if I am not wrong, the last 10% I had my hand to my mouth, gasping. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I completed this book. I absolutely LOVED this book and could not recommend it enough to you all. Oh how I wish I could have a signed paperback of this novel to grace my bookshelf! One day, surely one day!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the arc ebook!
The premise of this book is such that till the 50% mark you are only worried about how Vincent is going to do what he is been ordered to. After the mid point, new twists and turns come into play and make things even more interesting than the on-going robbery itself. The last 30% I swore (in my head, of course, couldn’t let others hear me), I paced around the room to calm myself down, and if I am not wrong, the last 10% I had my hand to my mouth, gasping. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I completed this book. I absolutely LOVED this book and could not recommend it enough to you all. Oh how I wish I could have a signed paperback of this novel to grace my bookshelf! One day, surely one day!
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the arc ebook!
January 11, 2021
Some ‘twists’ were predictable, but not all. It’s all you could want in a quick read trashy thriller....well written mostly, fast paced, the bits you’ve guessed you want to keep reading to know if you’re right and you also want to keep reading for the bits you haven’t pieced together. Once you’re done, you do want to know a bit more about what happened after. Always a good sign with a book. Apparently it’s the first of the author’s ‘tick tock’ series so I’m off to read Betsy Blake next.
January 10, 2019
Different and clever as we dig into the history of the four narrators to find the links between them, all in one Dublin morning. Definitely on the noir side.
March 29, 2018
One of the problems with being Irish is that our default way of dealing with our own (creative) people is by being overly critical and snobbish, just ask U2. The bottom line is that it is quite often very difficult for an Irish person to be openly gushing or warm about another Irish person's achievements. We're much happier to kick each off the proverbial perch or just say nothing. It's amazing Irish authors ever even publish a first novel for fear of trying to translate the Irish silence (that's how you know you've done well - people say nothing. Either that or you've made a complete fool of yourself and they are enjoying some silent schadenfreude). I am Irish. I am thus guilty of being over critical, somewhat silent and definitely jealous, particularly of a writer. Like Brian in Family Guy, I too am still planning on writing that book!
When it comes to Midday by David B.Lyons I find myself having to put my Irish-ness away and offer a genuine hats off to the author for this brilliant page turner that had me hooked all weekend. Not only did I love meandering the streets and buildings mentioned during the read, I also loved the writers opinions on some pretty interesting topics (Christianity for one, although I think all religions should be ridiculed equally). But, the best part really for me was the story and how it was told using each characters point of view. It was really well done and kept me glued until the end where their is a lovely tying up of all the threads. Absolutely 100% worth the read and absolutely 100% worth putting my Irish-ness aside to congratulate the author in the hope of more to come. Hats off to you Good Sir.
When it comes to Midday by David B.Lyons I find myself having to put my Irish-ness away and offer a genuine hats off to the author for this brilliant page turner that had me hooked all weekend. Not only did I love meandering the streets and buildings mentioned during the read, I also loved the writers opinions on some pretty interesting topics (Christianity for one, although I think all religions should be ridiculed equally). But, the best part really for me was the story and how it was told using each characters point of view. It was really well done and kept me glued until the end where their is a lovely tying up of all the threads. Absolutely 100% worth the read and absolutely 100% worth putting my Irish-ness aside to congratulate the author in the hope of more to come. Hats off to you Good Sir.
April 2, 2018
I would like to thank the author, Bloodhound publishing and blog tour organiser Sarah Hardy for the ARC of Midday in return for an honest review.
When you read the blurb for a book, you wonder if the words they use such as unpredictable really describe what you are about to read. Well bugger me, they certainly do when used in connection with Midday. All the action takes place between 7am and 12 midday on the same day and as a result the story is tight, thrilling and explosive. It is like being on a roller coaster, you go up, rapidly down, tight thrilling turns and this is what it’s like reading this compulsive read. I was convinced I knew the path the writer was leading me down and I was proved very wrong. The story and the writing are first class. I love thrillers to be action packed, but not at the cost of characterisation and we get to know the background to all four characters, which are weaved into the fabric of the story. I was delighted to have what most pleases me in this genre, fast paced plot, strong believeable characters and a plot you can believe in. No time to get bogged down in details, yet on point to the extent, you literally can’t pull your eyes away from the page.
I often say I would happily recommend books to friends and family, and it’s true all the time and in connection with Midday. If you want a storyline that we excite you than this is the book to be reading. Give it a go because if you love thrillers, it would be a shame to miss this one.
When you read the blurb for a book, you wonder if the words they use such as unpredictable really describe what you are about to read. Well bugger me, they certainly do when used in connection with Midday. All the action takes place between 7am and 12 midday on the same day and as a result the story is tight, thrilling and explosive. It is like being on a roller coaster, you go up, rapidly down, tight thrilling turns and this is what it’s like reading this compulsive read. I was convinced I knew the path the writer was leading me down and I was proved very wrong. The story and the writing are first class. I love thrillers to be action packed, but not at the cost of characterisation and we get to know the background to all four characters, which are weaved into the fabric of the story. I was delighted to have what most pleases me in this genre, fast paced plot, strong believeable characters and a plot you can believe in. No time to get bogged down in details, yet on point to the extent, you literally can’t pull your eyes away from the page.
I often say I would happily recommend books to friends and family, and it’s true all the time and in connection with Midday. If you want a storyline that we excite you than this is the book to be reading. Give it a go because if you love thrillers, it would be a shame to miss this one.
April 6, 2018
I was given a copy of this book by Bloodhound Books for an honest review.
I thought it was simply an average crime book about a bank robbery. The first few chapters grated on me, as we got to know the four main characters of the book - Vincent, Ryan, Jack and Darragh. They were filled with first person pronouns, I this, I that, and it disrupted the flow of the writing for me.
As the book went on this became less noticeable, which meant that I could get more immersed in the story of a criminal who masterminds a bank heist as an act of revenge.
I found the characters very fomulaic; the gay couple, one the older "sugar daddy" figure, the other the younger kept man. The two criminals, one the mastermind, one the dumb sidekick. None of them were particularly likeable, even as their stories were revealed throughout the course of the book..
I did like the structure of the book, with each chapter taking place at a particular time from 07:00 to the midday of the title.
The pacing was good, but it did get to the point where I felt like it was a guy driving round to banks withdrawing money, while a criminal follows him, and the other setting was two guys watching re-runs of football.
So while I like the premise, I felt that the execution wasn't as good as it could have been.
Saying all of that, it's a solid 3 star debut from me :)
I thought it was simply an average crime book about a bank robbery. The first few chapters grated on me, as we got to know the four main characters of the book - Vincent, Ryan, Jack and Darragh. They were filled with first person pronouns, I this, I that, and it disrupted the flow of the writing for me.
As the book went on this became less noticeable, which meant that I could get more immersed in the story of a criminal who masterminds a bank heist as an act of revenge.
I found the characters very fomulaic; the gay couple, one the older "sugar daddy" figure, the other the younger kept man. The two criminals, one the mastermind, one the dumb sidekick. None of them were particularly likeable, even as their stories were revealed throughout the course of the book..
I did like the structure of the book, with each chapter taking place at a particular time from 07:00 to the midday of the title.
The pacing was good, but it did get to the point where I felt like it was a guy driving round to banks withdrawing money, while a criminal follows him, and the other setting was two guys watching re-runs of football.
So while I like the premise, I felt that the execution wasn't as good as it could have been.
Saying all of that, it's a solid 3 star debut from me :)
March 21, 2018
This book had me hooked right from the start. I absolutely love the way this book was written and it kept me interested right to the last page.
The story is told by the 4 main characters, Vincent, Ryan, Jack and Darragh. Each chapter tells the story from a different characters perspective. As well as the real time telling of the plot we also get to learn more about the characters and their past. I loved how we are gradually discovering more about each of the four men as the story progresses until everything starts to piece together towards the final pages.
Although the main plot is about a kidnapping and a bank heist there is so much more to this book.
I can not recommend this book highly enough I loved it right to the final page. You will love this book if you enjoy a good crime book with a bit of mystery thrown in. A brilliantly written fast paced crime book that you have to read.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The story is told by the 4 main characters, Vincent, Ryan, Jack and Darragh. Each chapter tells the story from a different characters perspective. As well as the real time telling of the plot we also get to learn more about the characters and their past. I loved how we are gradually discovering more about each of the four men as the story progresses until everything starts to piece together towards the final pages.
Although the main plot is about a kidnapping and a bank heist there is so much more to this book.
I can not recommend this book highly enough I loved it right to the final page. You will love this book if you enjoy a good crime book with a bit of mystery thrown in. A brilliantly written fast paced crime book that you have to read.
Thank you to Bloodhound books for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
March 30, 2018
What a gripping read from start to finish. A new author to me but I will definitely be reading more from this author. From Vincent waking at 7am I was intrigued as to what was coming next. A very intricately planned heist is about to take place from Vincent's bank. The story is told in individual chapters for each main character. It worked extremely well and in my opinion made the book more enjoyable, but also gave me a chance to breathe in between these chapters. The plot was always by the clock and became a very intense if there was the slightest of delays. A splendid fast paced, thriller!
March 23, 2022
Loved this book. It was so intense! Couldn’t read it fast enough. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
Vincent works in a bank overseeing 4 branches. His boyfriend Ryan is held at gun point while Vincent has to withdraw £2 million euros from each bank and return to their penthouse apartment by midday. The gunman has a partner who is following Vincent and seems to be the brains of the operation. Chapter by chapter the story is told by the 4 main characters as time is ticking on. We learn about their pasts and what’s brought them to where they are today.
A couple of great twists I didn’t see coming! 5⭐️
Vincent works in a bank overseeing 4 branches. His boyfriend Ryan is held at gun point while Vincent has to withdraw £2 million euros from each bank and return to their penthouse apartment by midday. The gunman has a partner who is following Vincent and seems to be the brains of the operation. Chapter by chapter the story is told by the 4 main characters as time is ticking on. We learn about their pasts and what’s brought them to where they are today.
A couple of great twists I didn’t see coming! 5⭐️
March 22, 2018
I loved how this books coming together, with hovering to much away, the main plot is about four different characters warped up in a kidnapping and bank robbery. Each chapter is told from each of the main characters which dives in the past and present. Fabulously written from the different perspectives. This is one of thoese book that you want to pick up when you have the time to read it in one go because believe me, you won’t want to it to finish however you can’t help yourself but to devour the book fast.
June 29, 2020
I am not a big fan of this style of writing. Each character dedicated to a particular chapter and the story being told from their prospective. Their thoughts their feelings their memories....their expectations. However, it does work well for this book. It is a clever and well thought out story and builds up a lot of suspense as the book progresses. A large use of colourful language and pornographic references so not recommended for those that are easily shocked or offended. Overall an enjoyable and interesting read.
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