Jimmy Thomson

TUNNEL VISION is the follow up novel to PERFECT CRIMINALS which unleashed Danny Clay and his neighbour, friend, sidekick, he would / if she would romantic interest, Zan on the world. Danny's an ex-army sapper, now scriptwriter, veteran of many battles - in war and peace. Zan's the daughter of Vietnamese refugees in Australia - she comes with highly specialised food finding skills and a lack of extensive spoken Vietnamese. She is, however, very good in the role of faithful sidekick capable of launching a bit of a kicking (even if it's frequently mostly verbal). Needless to say this second outing for these two maintains the pace, the slightly crazy brave stuff, and an interesting plot set mostly in Vietnam this time.

Neither of these novels are particularly serious, although the central plot points veer that way on occasion. Both of these novels are also possibly best read in order - the backgrounds of the two central characters are pivotal to "getting them", and the events in Los Angeles that see them scurrying Vietnam way probably need explaining otherwise TUNNEL VISION might drive you a little bit bats at points. Not bats enough to let it stop you if getting the first novel under your belt is an issue.

This really is a lively, fun series, relying heavily on the characters of Danny and Zan and their interactions. They are great friends, and because of that you can't help but think that the possibility of romance between them that occasionally rears it's head could make things get ugly. You'd hate to think that a romantic bust up would be the end of such a great crime fiction partnership - obviously one on the manic, fun side of the equation.

The setting for TUNNEL VISION is mostly Vietnam, although Zan does find herself back in Australia at one point, and the supporting cast of characters is a nice mix of locals, and a few ex-army types who never lost their connection to the country post the Vietnam War. There's also a decidedly dodgy senior official, a missing young girl, a body in a canal and the uncomfortable possibility of a very annoyed sun bear somewhere in the city. There's a lot of eating, there's a lot of spying and following people around, and what starts out as Danny and Zan trying to help out an old army mate of his, rapidly gets them involved in the mysterious death of the woman found in the canal, and how on earth it could be connected to the disappearance of a young girl - the daughter of another local government representative.

Good plot, great characters and a very realistic feeling setting, combined with a dry, laid back style of delivery, the Danny Clay series is one worth looking out for.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/tunnel-vision-jimmy-thomson… (lisätietoja)

The world sure as hell needs something to laugh at, and it could use a lot more caper novels. Especially ones where things are manic, odd, downright daft on occasions and a bit of just good old fashioned silly fun. With car chases obviously. PERFECT CRIMINALS fits most of those requirements, with just a few minor quibbles. Danny Clay is ex-military, a scriptwriter now, he's a veteran of special operations with PTSD. His best friend, sort of pining love interest, Zan is the Australian born daughter of Vietnamese refugee parents, the girl next door, with a twist. She's scrupilously tidy, organised and together, as compared to his car crash life, there is less sexual tension and more longing between these two.

When friends who are also writers, start dying in mysterious circumstances, Danny finds himself calling on his old army sapper skills to prevent Zan and he becoming victims as well. Meanwhile a mysterious figure is shooting paintballs at nightclub patrons, while a very odd couple of killers are on the move.

Action-packed definitely, hilarious sometimes, there's more than enough odd to satisfy fans of romp styled capers in PERFECT CRIMINALS. It's a pity that there's some less than satisfactory stylings of female characters, and some of the opportunities to fire shots across the bows of Hollywood misfire. The subplot of a sexually harrassed assistant producer was flimsy and very disappointing, compared in particular with the way the stuntman turned hero of the day was handled which was really good.

The wheels within wheels and elaborate connections were delivered well, there's heaps of pace, and Danny, for all his faults, is kind of likeable in an "every now and again he needs a good glaring at" way. The character of Zan is loaded with potential, as is their ongoing friendship / romance / clash, and there's certainly plenty here leaving you looking for more of the same romp type caper with hopefully a little fine adjustment in places.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/perfect-criminals-jimmy-thomson… (lisätietoja)

This is a story about how the Karri the koala saves the other bush animals from the house cats that have been dumped in the bush. Karri tells the cats that fighting doesn't solve problems. Karri negotiates with the cats that if the cats win they can stay and if they loose they will find another home.

The main theme of the story about the conflict between the native animals and dumped cats is an important one. So too is the moral of not fighting to solve problems. However the story simplified into a neat package of a hero koala was not believable.… (lisätietoja)