The Accident Man

The Accident Man is the first novel of the Samuel Carver series by English thriller writer, Tom Cain, released on 2 July 2007 through Bantam Press.[1][2]

The Accident Man
AuthorTom Cain
CountryEngland
LanguageEnglish
SeriesSamuel Carver series
GenreThriller
PublisherBantam / Corgi
Publication date
2 July 2007 (2007-07-02)
Media typePrint
Pages414
ISBN978-0-593-05805-3
OCLC85829307
823.92
Followed byThe Survivor
(2008)' 

Plot

The novel proposes a fictional account for the events surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, based on some of the conspiracy theories in subsequent circulation. The central character, Samuel Carver, is an ex-marine, now assassin, who is tricked into committing the act. The story focuses on Carver's efforts to avoid his ex-employers' attempts on his life, whilst he tries to discover the origins of the "kill order", and bring those involved to justice.

Movie

The novel was optioned by Paramount Pictures in 2007,[3][4][5][6] however this was during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike and no further details have been released since.[7]

Reception

The novel was relatively well received, with critics mainly praising the novels fast-paced action and creative storyline.[8][9] Some critics have, however, criticised the novels "not entirely believable" romance between Carver and his Russian would-be killer Alix.[8][10]

Carol Memmott of USA today praised the novel, calling it is a "thrill-a-minute debut" and commenting on Cain's "stunning imagining of the lives and minds of paid assassins and Russian gang members".[9] In a review by The Calgary Herald for Canada.com, Dan Healing praises the novels "attention to detail", Cain's ability to both build and relax the tension at the right times; overall Healing calls the novel a "tour de force, especially for a first-time novelist".[3] The Daily Telegraphs Susanna Yager stated, in a positive review, that "it's all splendidly implausible and ideal reading for the beach".[11]

Oline H. Cogdill, for Pittsburgh Live, was more critical of the novel. She stated that "a predictable, and not entirely believable, romance mars "The Accident Man's" originality, as does the de rigueur villain who can't be killed but talks your ear off", however also states that "Cain keeps the scenery breathtaking and the action heart-stopping".[8] These sentiments were mirrored by Publishers Weekly who opined that "hopefully, Cain will keep the mayhem and soft-pedal the love interest in his next Samuel Carver thriller".[10] the New Statesman was particularly critical, with reviewer Hannah Davies finding the protagonist Carver to be "remarkably stupid", the premise to be "ludicrous"; stating, of the novel, "any originality is soon sacrificed to flashy set pieces".[12]

References
  1. "GVK - Gemeinsamer Verbundkatalog - 2.1". GSO. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  2. The Accident Man (Book, 2007). WorldCat. OCLC 85829307.
  3. Healing, Dan (13 April 2008). "Di's death at centre of tense thriller". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  4. Petit, Chris (14 July 2007). "Review by Eoin McNamee; Accident Man by Tom Cain". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  5. Dowell, Ben (14 July 2007). "Arts Diary". New Statesman. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  6. Levins, Harry (24 February 2008). "Browsing/Thrillers". Stltoday. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  7. Cain, Tom (6 August 2008). "The Accident Man Is Back". Accident Man. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  8. Cogdill, Oline H. (30 March 2008). "'Accident Man' an action-packed thriller". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  9. Memmott, Carol (21 February 2008). "Book roundup: Delve into these new mysteries". USA Today. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  10. "Fiction Review: The Accident Man by Tom Cain / Author . Viking". Publishers Weekly. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  11. Yager, Susanna (7 August 2007). "Princess Diana conspiracy theory". Telegraph. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  12. Davies, Hannah (30 August 2007). "Accidental hero". New Statesman. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
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