The Accident Man
Encyclopedia
The Accident Man is the first novel of the Samuel Carver series by English
thriller writer, Tom Cain
, released on 2nd July 2007 through Bantam Press
.
, based on some of the conspiracy theories circulating at the time. The story centres round Samuel Carver, ex-marine turned assassin, who is conned into committing the act. The focus of the story is on Carver trying to avoid his ex-employers attempts on his life while ascertaining the origins of the kill order to put those involved to justice.
in 2007, however this was during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
and no further details have been released since.
Carol Memmott of USA today
praised the novel, calling it is a "thrill-a-minute debut" and commenting on Cain's "stunning imagining of the lives and minds of paid assassins and Russian gang members.". In a review by The Calgary Herald for Canada.com, Dan Healing praises the novels "attention to detail", Cain's ability to both build and relax the tension at the right times; overall Healing calls the novel a "tour de force, especially for a first-time novelist.". Carla McKay, writing for The Daily Mail, had a similar response, stating that "this is a fast-moving, cleverly constructed and very readable thriller in which there is plenty of scary action, Le Carré-style plotting and a love story to entertain us between gunshots.". The Daily Telegraph
s Susanna Yager stated, in a positive review, that "it's all splendidly implausible and ideal reading for the beach.".
Oline H. Cogdill, for Pittsburgh Live, was more critical of the novel. She stated that "a predictable, and not entirely believable, romance mars "The Accident Man's" originality, as does the de rigueur villain who can't be killed but talks your ear off.", however also states that "Cain keeps the scenery breathtaking and the action heart-stopping.". These sentiments were mirrored by Publishers Weekly
who opined that "hopefully, Cain will keep the mayhem and soft-pedal the love interest in his next Samuel Carver thriller.". The New Statesman
was particularly critical, with reviewer Hannah Davies finding the protagonist Carver to be "remarkably stupid", the premise to be "ludicrous"; stating, of the novel, "any originality is soon sacrificed to flashy set pieces".
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
thriller writer, Tom Cain
Tom Cain (author)
David Thomas , better known by the pen name Tom Cain, is an English journalist and author of a series of thriller novels based around the fictional character Samuel Carver.-Biography:...
, released on 2nd July 2007 through Bantam Press
Bantam Press
Bantam Press is an imprint of Transworld Publishers which is a British publishing division of Random House.It is based on Uxbridge Road in Ealing near Ealing Broadway station, the same address as Transworld....
.
Plot
The novel proposes a fictional account for the events surrounding the death of Diana, Princess of WalesDeath of Diana, Princess of Wales
On 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident in the Pont de l'Alma road tunnel in Paris, France. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, and the driver of the Mercedes-Benz W140, Henri Paul, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Fayed's...
, based on some of the conspiracy theories circulating at the time. The story centres round Samuel Carver, ex-marine turned assassin, who is conned into committing the act. The focus of the story is on Carver trying to avoid his ex-employers attempts on his life while ascertaining the origins of the kill order to put those involved to justice.
Movie
The novel was optioned by Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
in 2007, however this was during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike
The 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, more commonly referred to as simply the Writers' Strike, was a strike by the Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America, West ....
and no further details have been released since.
Reception
The novel was relatively well received, with critics mainly praising the novels fast-paced action and creative storyline. Some critics have, however, criticised the novels "not entirely believable" romance between Carver and his Russian would-be killer Alix.Carol Memmott of USA today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
praised the novel, calling it is a "thrill-a-minute debut" and commenting on Cain's "stunning imagining of the lives and minds of paid assassins and Russian gang members.". In a review by The Calgary Herald for Canada.com, Dan Healing praises the novels "attention to detail", Cain's ability to both build and relax the tension at the right times; overall Healing calls the novel a "tour de force, especially for a first-time novelist.". Carla McKay, writing for The Daily Mail, had a similar response, stating that "this is a fast-moving, cleverly constructed and very readable thriller in which there is plenty of scary action, Le Carré-style plotting and a love story to entertain us between gunshots.". The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
s Susanna Yager stated, in a positive review, that "it's all splendidly implausible and ideal reading for the beach.".
Oline H. Cogdill, for Pittsburgh Live, was more critical of the novel. She stated that "a predictable, and not entirely believable, romance mars "The Accident Man's" originality, as does the de rigueur villain who can't be killed but talks your ear off.", however also states that "Cain keeps the scenery breathtaking and the action heart-stopping.". These sentiments were mirrored by Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
who opined that "hopefully, Cain will keep the mayhem and soft-pedal the love interest in his next Samuel Carver thriller.". The New Statesman
The New Statesman
The New Statesman is an award-winning British sitcom of the late 1980s and early 1990s satirising the Conservative government of the time...
was particularly critical, with reviewer Hannah Davies finding the protagonist Carver to be "remarkably stupid", the premise to be "ludicrous"; stating, of the novel, "any originality is soon sacrificed to flashy set pieces".