A Reader's Review

If this book doesn't make you think, then nothing will. The sheer power of the story and way in which it is written leaves you with an impression that will never go away.

Peter Hedge skillfully tells the tale of an 18 year old boy awaiting execution in a 1950's British prison. His style is uncompromising. Bawdy in places, comical in others he leads his readers by the hand through the gentler sections then drags them by the scruff when the going gets tough.

But what I found different about this book is that the ending is seemingly given away in the first chapter. There is no reprieve for Stephen Matchin and he is hanged for his crime.

Yet this "give away" seems to make the story even more intriguing and readable. I kept asking myself, "Why did he do it? What drove him to shoot a policeman?" and, "what is the story's twist that must surely come at the end?”

Well there is a twist . . . and it's a zinger! But that's for me to know and other readers to find out.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading, “something a little different."