Official Review: Conversations with Eric by Paul Casselle

RussetDivinity · Post by **RussetDivinity** » 29 Jun 2015, 19:58

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Conversations with Eric" by Paul Casselle.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Paul Casselle’s Conversations with Eric is one of the strangest crime novels I have ever read. The protagonist, Simon Leigh, has just met a new neighbor, Archie, who claims to have inherited a small island in the Hebrides. What follows is a curious adventure of a middle-aged man making choices he never would have dreamed of earlier in his life. Though the book isn’t like any other crime novel I’ve read, it was rather good, and I’d give it 3 out of 4 stars.

The reason I call this one of the strangest crime novels I’ve read is because it doesn’t have the suspense I’ve gotten used to when reading thrillers. There are a few moments of genuine tension (and some that might be meant to be more tense than they come across on the page), but for the most part, it adopts a meditative tone that seems at odds with the fact that Leigh spends the better part of the novel running from the police and other robbers. For the most part, Casselle does a very good job at making the meditative tone work, though a few moments feel slow and heavy.

The meditative tone works best when paired with the characters. Simon Leigh is something of a study in contradictions: a dependable man who’s willing to suddenly go against the law. His neighbor, who he nicknames Mrs. Candles, is simultaneously a sweet woman and emotionally unstable. Archie is friendly but a liar and potentially untrustworthy. The one constant in Simon’s life – and to the readers – is Simon’s dog, Eric, with whom he occasionally converses, hoping for some kind of insight into the troubles of his life.

I gave this book three stars, but it’s a rather low three. The meditative tone of the novel does work quite well, but as I mentioned before, it takes away from some moments that might have worked better had they been more suspenseful. The contradictions that exist within ourselves is a minor theme of the novel, but at times the contradictions presented by the characters feel too unrealistic. Simon’s relationship with his wife doesn’t have enough depth behind it to feel believable, and some of the choices made in the last third of the book don’t have enough explanation behind them. I did enjoy the book, but I thought it could have had a bit more depth, odd as that may sound for a book already deeper than some other thrillers.

Despite the problems I had with it, I did enjoy reading this book. Those who want fast-paced, action-packed thrillers will likely be disappointed, even though the book moves quickly and has some decent action sequences. However, people willing to take a chance might find a new way to consider crime novels.

******
Conversations with Eric
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Post by **bookowlie** » 06 Jul 2015, 21:29

Great, insightful review. The book sounds unique and interesting. The only thing that's weird is the gun on the cover looks like it's pointed at the dog!

Jesska6029 · Post by **Jesska6029** » 06 Jul 2015, 22:07

bookowlie wrote:Great, insightful review. The book sounds unique and interesting. The only thing that's weird is the gun on the cover looks like it's pointed at the dog!

I was just thinking that about the cover!

Loved the review. Great detail! I'm always intrigued by "strange" reads!

Levi · Post by **Levi** » 06 Jul 2015, 22:23

Good job on the review as it seems you've pointed out the strengths and weaknesses, and given the reader a great idea of what to expect without turning them away. I too, am astounded by the cover now that Owlie pointed it out, but like the errors, it distracts but it is not a deal breaker. Good job RussetDivinity!

casselle · Post by **casselle** » 07 Jul 2015, 02:56

Just a quickie about the gun on the cover. Maybe it was meant to be pointing at the dog?

Guns, crime and the safety of many of the characters are constant themes in the book. And, aside from that, it got you talking!

Px

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 07 Jul 2015, 14:53

Great review! The "meditative" part reminds of me when I play the ponies, and the horse I choose takes a meditative approach to the race.

Sounds like an interesting book! Mrs. Candles sounds interesting, and I love the cover!!

Levi · Post by **Levi** » 07 Jul 2015, 16:08

casselle wrote:Just a quickie about the gun on the cover. Maybe it was meant to be pointing at the dog?

Guns, crime and the safety of many of the characters are constant themes in the book. And, aside from that, it got you talking!

Px

Touché sir

-- 07 Jul 2015, 16:08 --

zeldas_lullaby wrote:Great review! The "meditative" part reminds of me when I play the ponies, and the horse I choose takes a meditative approach to the race.

Sounds like an interesting book! Mrs. Candles sounds interesting, and I love the cover!!

Zelda, you would ha ha

Cee-Jay Aurinko · Post by **Cee-Jay Aurinko** » 10 Jul 2015, 14:12

Great review. Get what you're saying. One thing I noticed about crime novels is that their characters are mainly there to talk, and that authors tend to keep their descriptions short.

bluemel4 · Post by **bluemel4** » 10 Jul 2015, 14:33

Wonderful review. This seems to be a psychological thriller more than a mystery novel.

RussetDivinity · Post by **RussetDivinity** » 10 Jul 2015, 15:23

Oh, definitely, bluemel. While there is a great deal of mystery, it comes more from unanswered questions and sudden turns of circumstance than from a sense of who-done-it.

casselle · Post by **casselle** » 10 Jul 2015, 15:54

I quite agree. It's more a how-done-it than a who-done-it.

-- 11 Jul 2015, 08:22 --

I've just had the cover professionally re-designed. What do you think?

chytach18- · Post by **chytach18-** » 28 Jul 2015, 05:07

The book seems very British to me. Scottish even. I shall keep an eye on the author. And on Eric, too.

zeldas_lullaby · Post by **zeldas_lullaby** » 28 Jul 2015, 09:17

casselle wrote:I quite agree. It's more a how-done-it than a who-done-it.

-- 11 Jul 2015, 08:22 --

I've just had the cover professionally re-designed. What do you think?

I think the cover looks great!