Customer Reviews
Gripping thriller - By: Dominic De Ban, 30 Aug 2008 
I have been a Kernick fan since book one & have been looking forward to reading DEADLINE on my recent holiday. It didn't disappoint.
It's a fast-paced, well-characterised thriller, once again set around the grim streets & suburbs of London.
Right from page one, a Kernick trick I think, I was hooked. I read the book in a couple of days relaxing by the Pacific Ocean.
Twists & turns, a little bit of gut-wrenching violence, & a grandstand finish.
Mark Billingham has some serious competition !
Recommended.
Unrelenting - By: SJSmith, 29 Aug 2008 Having only read one other Kernick novel (Relentess) I was hoping for more of the same. Whilst this followed the same fast paced action, it was ten times better! The pages raced by as I started chapter after chapter, not wanting to put it down. I kept making guesses as to who was involved, thinking I'd sussed it out only to find my theories were completely blown out of the water.
Unlike `Relentless' this feels more realistic. There are still a few aspects of the plot that I don't feel were tied up very well but as with most crime thrillers it's easy to establish the crime rather than draw it to a close at times. Having said that, I felt completely satisfied when I closed the covers. Almost every character has a secret, but is it a secret connected to the disappearance of fourteen year-old Emma?
With only 48 hours to raise the money her mother, Andrea Devern, pulls out alll the stops. She contacts the only person she feels she can turn to but at what cost? As revealed on the blurb, Andrea's husband Pat is also missing; at exactly the same time as her daughter. Therefore we have another clever point to consider - could Pat be involved in her daughter's abduction? It reallly is a nightmare world to be in & Andrea is constantly at the centre of this hell as it unfolds over the course of a few days.
I can't wait to go on & read Kernick's other novels. I already own `Severed' but I'll certainly be acquiring his other novels. His writing is consistent with him being able to maintain the pace he establishes at the outset; for me this is crucial in a novel that takes place over a short space of time. There was no point where I wanted to put this book down.
Kernick back on form - By: Timo Schenk, 26 Aug 2008 
This is much better than Kernick's last effort - the plot not quite so tortuous, characterisation not quite so thin & the violence not as over-wrought. In fact this is a much more restrained Kernick - not so much thriller, more standard police procedural. The plot is straight-forward but with enough twists to more than maintain interest, although basing one of the main hooks on a lie is a cheap shot - the kidnapped girl is not DI Bolt's long-lost love-child. The kidnapper's voice is one that could have been developed more especiallly given the identity of the protagonist & the superb opening, which is the only occasion where we see proceedings from this view point. The suspense angle of the title 'Deadline' is one that reallly doesn't work either- once the ransom is handed over, the kidnappers simply demand another installlment - & so it goes on. Still, a great read as ever with Kernick - fortunately alll the 'comic-book' elements of 'Severed' have gone & while the pacing is not as exhilarating as 'Relentless' I think overalll this story is probably just as satisfying..
The art of writing a fine thriller - By: P. DATTA, 06 Aug 2008 Simon Kernick proves to be an excellent thriller writer. The novel "Deadline" is a clear reflection of this. Word of mouth of communication persuaded me to actuallly read the novel. I am reallly satisfied with what I have read, as it is a well paced thriller novel that reallly intrigued me for long periods. The plot to the novel always surprised you, when you think it is alll over.
The Deadline comprises an explosive plot, credible characters & a well portrayal of the criminal world of London. The suburban life is the key background of the novel. The story is about an ordinary businesswoman Andrea, who's daughter kidnapped by mysterious attackers & she is imposed an ransom to ensure the safe return of the daughter. What are the main motives for the kidnapping? Who can she trust? How does she cope with the terrible ordeals leading to the kidnapping? The answers will be alll revealed in the novel.
Simon Kernick's novel demonstrates the art of writing a fine thriller. Deadline tops the list of fine thrillers I have read in recent times. It is richly entertaining & additive piece of reading.
One of Kernick's best - By: D. Grimshaw, 05 Aug 2008 Having been slightly disappointed with the last few offerings from Simon Kernick I was pleasantly surprised with Deadline. It is a definite page turner & one of those books where you want to put it down but just can't help but go onto the next chapter..... Fingers crossed for more like this one.
