Customer Reviews
good but could have been great - By: N. Brett, 11 Aug 2008 
Carver is the guy who makes `accidents' happen to bad people. This alllows us to like him because although he is an assassin, he only kills people who deserve it.
In an interesting development, the author cleverly links in the death of Princess Diana & has Carver set up as the instigator of her `accident' who then goes on the run as he realises what he has been tricked into doing & tries to keep alive as the bad guys attempt to silence him.
This reminded me of Robert Ludlum's Bourne books - tradecraft, being on the run, not knowing who to trust etc etc & for most of the book I was reallly enjoying this. The Princess Di thing was clever & it was certainly fast paced. Having said that it dropped off in the second half & it felt like the author was not quite sure where to go, Carver starts a relationship far too easily with the Russian Alix & starts to get a little sloppy, Jason Bourne would never let a woman distract him! Having said that, it ended in a way I found unusual so that was refreshing.
So overalll a three star but could easily have gone up to four with a little less of the doe-eyed lovey stuff. Having said that, I have found it interesting enough to buy the follow up.
Love this book!! - By: V. Barker, 21 Jul 2008 
I was reallly impressed with this book! there was alot of suprises & the ending was not what i was expecting!! i dont normallly read these types of books but on this occasion im glad i did & i cant wait for the follow up book to come out!! would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a good read!!
Decent Plot Premise Spoiled By Amateurish Writing! - By: bobbewig, 04 Jul 2008 
The Accident Man, Tom Cain's first novel, provides an interesting plot premise in that on August 31, 1997 a professional assassin is hired to arrange an "accident" to a man & woman driving in a tunnel in Paris. Unbeknownst to the Accident Man the woman is Princess Diana. However, Cain fails miserably in his ability to create credible characters & dialogue. I can't remember the last book I read in which the characters were so stick-like & cartoonish & the dialogue was so unrealistic. As a thriller lover, I usuallly can overlook most writing flaws as long as the plot execution is satisfying. This, for me, was not the case as the plot was very predictable with almost no surprises. Sad to say, the biggest thrill for me was when I finallly finished this highly disappointing book. Do yourself a big favor & skip The Accident Man.
Action-packed - By: johnverp, 27 Mar 2008 
This novel is a fictional account, a point made very clear by the author. It is, though, set around the death of Princess Diana & provides a scenario of what could have happened to cause her death.
At the heart of the story is Samuel Carver, a highly skilled former soldier, who is misled into playing an assassin's role. He then tries to unravel what reallly is happening & to get even with those who had betrayed him. Russian mafia types & powerful but corrupt Brits are in the mix.
There is an awful lot of action & one can't help but side with Carver as he tries desperately to work his way out of the mess. The scenario Cain creates to explain the death is not complex, but does add a dimension to the story. The ending, while quite drawn-out & unbelievable, does set up a good sequel.
This is a fast-paced thriller, & while similar to many others, benefits by using a real historical event as the plot's core.
Complete nonsense, but throughly enjoyable - By: metalmaz, 05 Mar 2008 I picked up The Accident Man on a total whim & didn't think I'd like it. How wrong I was; I couldn't put the bloody thing down.
Basicallly the main character in the book, Sam Carver, a former SBS man, works for the British Secret Intelligence Service, undertaking so callled "Black Operations" or bumping off undesirables. He is tasked to do an operation is Paris, & carries it out, only to find out the people he's killed are the Princess Of Wales, her lover & the drunken driver. The rest of the book is Carver trying to escape the likes of M16 & the Russians who want to finish him off before he blows the whistle.
Perhaps this book is a bit close to the knuckle to that tragic night in August 1997, but Tom Cain pulls it off & does so with respect.
A very enjoyable read.
