Book Description:
THE INTROVERT CONFOUNDS INNOCENCE continues the story of the eponymous anti-hero introduced in THE INTROVERT.
With his life disrupted by an unscrupulous work colleague and a bully at his son Toby’s school, things go from bad to worse when his neighbor’s abusive boyfriend goes missing, plunging the introvert into the center of a murder investigation.
Increasingly hounded by a meddlesome detective, and with his thoughts continually urging him to make people “red and open” and to “achieve it” with his girlfriend Donna, what follows is a sometimes brutal, oftentimes hilarious, and absurdist account of the life of one very anti-social and unexpected anti-hero.
My Thoughts:
This is the second book to feature The Introvert, of which thinking about it, yet again, we don’t get to know his name in this one either. It reads very well as a stand alone so don’t worry if you haven’t had a chance to read the first book.
Told from the point of view of The Introvert himself, it really makes for a compelling read. He doesn’t adjust to new people or new situations very well at all. I thought the parts to do with him and his new work colleague Gordon so funny. I really am surprised at times that he doesn’t get a slap for his straight talking. A lot of what pops into his head, comes straight out of his mouth without a pause for thought.
The author tackles bullying and domestic abuse. I was slightly worried as knowing The Introvert only to well, I wasn’t sure how he would handle another four year old bullying his own son. To a certain extent he has grown up a bit since settling down and being a father. That all comes under threat though when I have to say the most annoying detective I’ve ever come across in crime fiction, tries to uncover the disappearance of his neighbour’s boyfriend. He actually reminded me a little bit of Columbo, the annoying meddlesome detective.
The Introvert Confounds Innocence is a welcome addition into crime fiction. It is dark, effortlessly witty and has you routing for the protagonist who is someone you probably really shouldn’t do. You so can’t help feeling sorry for him though, well I couldn’t anyway. This made such a refreshing change to the books I normally read and after getting a little glimpse at the end for what is in store for The Introvert in the next book, well all I can say is bring on book 3!
My thanks to the author for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The Introvert Confounds Innocence is available to pre-order now from Amazon. (Please note that link used is an affiliate link).
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