About the Author by John Colapinto

Author: John Colapinto
ISBN # 184115640X
Publisher: Fourth Estate
First Published: 2001
254 pages
Rating: 9/10

The Blurb:
Cal Cunningham dreams of writing an autobiographical novel that will help him escape from his life as a penniless bookstore stockboy in upper Manhattan. Yet, after two years of living together, it is Stewart, Cal's studious flatmate who has finished writing a page-turning novel -- based on Cal's life. When a timely, fatal bicycle accident removes Stewart from the scene, Cal appropriates the manuscript as his own and places it in the hands of the legendarily ferocious literary agent Blackie Yeager. Soon Cal realises his most outlandish fantasies of literary success. That is, until he discovers that someone knows his secret. For Cal, this means plotting not just his second novel, but also his first murder.

The Review:
I may have found a new author to add to my list of favourites! This is the first book I’ve read by Colapinto and I have to say, I’m incredibly impressed – this is one of the best books I’ve read this year!

The writing is incredibly strong, the plot is inventive, thrilling and rather Hitchcockian in its approach, complete with a dark, satirical thread running throughout. From the outset, it feels very personal, like you’re chatting with an old friend who is regaling you with a tale of past misdemenors – it’s very engaging. I was compelled t take my time with it, savouring each chapter, every page, and found I was trying to jump ahead in my mind to work out what would happen next, but this kept me guessing all the way through.

To think that this was Colapinto’s debut novel is incredible – it shows the polish of a seasoned professional and a great deal of promise for his future projects - I’m now very excited at the prospect of reading more of Colapinto’s work!