"Couldn't put this down"

Really couldn't put this down, had a couple of bleary eyed days at work due to 'just having to read a bit more' every night. I'm really intrigued by this story and the realisation that this is actually based on real life events is quite frightening. I notice that Dawn managed to track down a few of the main characters after the events but the fact that Bob isn't mentioned anywhere afterwards makes me wonder..... I won't spoil this for anyone but definitely worth the read! (Kindlbookworm)


"A profoundly disturbing experience"

This must have been a profoundly disturbing experience for the author and, I, for one, believe her. There is no way that anyone could have written in such detail, about such horrific events, unless they were true. Yet, she has not left the reader seething with hate and condemnation of Eastern culture. Far from it. She reminds us that Hitler was actually a Christian, and also that Moslem women seem quite happy with their way of life.
But then, at the end of the story, she also reminds us that in every culture there are always a few bad apples. So which is right? You must decide for yourself when you read the book. (Bernie Morris)


"A book that provides insight"

I have worked and lived in Saudi Arabia in Dhahran, the small American style town of populated ex-pats that is so well described in this book. The author's invocation of the place and the people that populate the book chime in perfectly with my own memories of my time there.

What makes this book an important read and not just an enthralling account of one woman's personal tragedy played out in some distant bizarre place, is that it provides a good insight into the strong underlying stresses that are generated when people become 'foreigners' and have to try and live their own idea of a 'normal' life in close contact with people whose cultural mores, behaviour and expectations are radically different.

The book gives an excellent account as to how the small but intense worlds in which these cross-cultural stresses constantly play upon the people within them, can cause sudden eruptions of dramatic and terrible violence, with all the tragic consequences that inevitably follow.

It's not the easiest read but this novel rewards the reader with insights that may just prove useful in our difficult multi-cultural world. (Mr. James Johnson)

Silent Violence at LuluSilent Violence at Amazon

What people have said:

"Clever twists"

I read three stories, sent to me by the author. They are varied in concept, giving me a good insight into his style. The first, CSR, appeared to be about a worried mother discussing her child's problem with a doctor, so the clever twist ending, although a surprise, fitted neatly into the plot. I was not as happy with SKIN, as I felt it too long, and it rambled somewhat. However, the author showed his literary skills, weaving a complex story about a victim of a bottle attack, leaving him blind. Once again, the twist ending surprised. The final story, SOLITARY, is set in a prison, and the narrator has a job reading the letters of the inmates before they are posted. But all is not as it appears, and that is all I shall tell you, except the twist ending is very surprising. My impression is that David has talent in writing the short story, and if the others are as intriguing as those I read, the collection will be a satisfying purchase. (Brian Lux)

"Stunning attention to detail"

In each story, with stunning attention to detail, the author leads the reader along mostly dark and shadowy paths towards the very often twisted finale. (Bernie Morris)


"A bloody wonderful book of short stories if..."

If, like me, you are a keen reader of the author you will definitely want to add this volume of short stories to your collection of his books. There are a few cracking stories here but the book is for true believers like myself.

There are some interesting people to be met in these tales here but you only encounter them briefly. Brief great pleasures. None of the stories here are a waste of your reading time, many are clever and contain great insights. Most of the stories are well crafted, Yellow and Skin being good examples. Sadly the main story And The Man Who Loved Cats I found to be intensely jarring as the use device of telling tales within tales just did not cut it for me. Frustratingly embedded in this story there is an excellent gem of a tale of a man returning to his childhood home and the scene of a trauma that determined his life.

I enjoy being a follower of this author and would like to see his support base grow. If you are considering a first time punt on him then I would suggest you start with one of his other books. (Mr. James Johnson)

... and the man who loved cats at Lulu... and the man who loved cats at Amazon