BOOK REVIEWS
As an aside...Night Jessamine (pictured above) is one of Harry's favourites - see page 43 of Harry's World.
"Harry wandered into the Net Warrior Cybercafé mid afternoon, looking as out of place as a double-ended dildo being unwrapped at a baby shower."
- Harry's World (p.46)
- Harry's World (p.46)
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The very first review of Harry's Quest is a cracker!
Crime fiction connoisseur, Hannah, a.k.a. the Dorset Book Detective, had the following to say: Harry’s Quest Review: A Shockingly Good Thriller Having interviewed Sydney based author and former police detective A. B. Patterson last year, I was pleased to be able to review the second in his series about his dogged private investigator Harry Kenmare, Harry’s Quest. A private eye novel with real grit and drive, Harry’s Quest sees readers reunite with investigator Harry Kenmare as he seeks to right the world’s wrongs and achieve his revenge on a world that has taken a great deal from him. Drawing on Patterson’s experience as a policeman, the novel is gripping and features a host of memorable characters. The sequel to Harry’s World, like its predecessor Harry’s Quest consists of five ‘parts’, which each act as a component part of the whole to create an interesting narrative. Gritty and spellbinding, the novel combines the same short, sharp sentence structure and witty dialogue that made the first novel so popular and adds an extra element of danger. In this second outing for Harry Kenmare, the private detective is now inundated with work as the elite seek him out to do their dirty work. He uses these jobs to finance his real focus; revenge on those who have wronged him in the past. Having assembled a team, Harry uses them to extract his revenge and get back at the monsters that preyed on him and those he loved. Packed with sex and violence, the novel gives an eye-opening view of the nastier side of human nature and the motives that bring out the worst in people; money, power and sex. Ultimately, Harry’s Quest is another cracking example of author A.B. Patterson’s expert storytelling as he takes his hardboiled investigator for another spin and lets him loose on the elite and the scandalous. Balance is the key here; Patterson gets it just right, with enough gore, grime and gentile backstabbing to have the reader coming back for more. See the original at The Dorset Book Detective. And this is a great blog to follow if you love crime fiction. Cheers, ABP |
The Thrilling Detective Web Site
Kevin Burton Smith, Editor-in-Chief, in his web site page on PI Harry Kenmare, described Harry as a "behemoth of busted dreams rumbling through a hostile and unjust world he's no longer sure he belongs in." A pretty accurate description of my main man.
He went on to say this about Harry's World:
"...for those looking for something ballsy and literate, in the Chandler/Bruen vein, this one might do the trick."
I'll definitely take that as a compliment, coming from someone as knowledgable in the area of detective fiction as Kevin Burton Smith.
Kevin Burton Smith, Editor-in-Chief, in his web site page on PI Harry Kenmare, described Harry as a "behemoth of busted dreams rumbling through a hostile and unjust world he's no longer sure he belongs in." A pretty accurate description of my main man.
He went on to say this about Harry's World:
"...for those looking for something ballsy and literate, in the Chandler/Bruen vein, this one might do the trick."
I'll definitely take that as a compliment, coming from someone as knowledgable in the area of detective fiction as Kevin Burton Smith.
& MORE...
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The Self Publisher's Showcase said...
"***** 5 Stars!" The full review is below. 
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Review snippets from other authors:
Author - Robin Elizabeth (on her website www.riedstrap.wordpress.com):
Harry’s World by A.B. Patterson. Rough cop, gritty issues, sexy sexing and beautiful writing.
Crime Author - Diana Hockley (on Amazon):
Being an Australian, I am always drawn to novels written by my countrymen, so it was with great anticipation that I bought this one. I was not disappointed!
Harry is a likeable person...the sex workers, computer hackers and formers colleagues that make up his circle of friends are brought to life in this well written book.
I really liked this novel - though not the subjects who litter Harry's World - and suspect that some of the stories depicted are, sadly, factual rather than created for the plot. If Mr Patterson writes a sequel to this and we hear more of Harry and Tanya and Sasha et al, I will be first in line to purchase a copy.
Crime Author - A.C.Efverman (on Goodreads):
This is a great story - offering a very different main character, set in Sydney. The author has drawn a convincing seedy backdrop to an unflinching realistic view of what takes place out of sight in the dark underbelly of a large city; mixed with a fast paced story line that is obviously fictitious. In all this, Harry's personality looms large through the pages. Harry reminds me of hard detectives from a long gone era - although Harry definitely has a soft centre. Even though I could not read some small parts of this novel due to the graphic nature of scenes involving children - I understand why the author has included these scenes as they paint the grim reality of these situations.
The story kept me captivated throughout - a real page turner.
Crime author - Gregory James (on his website www.gregoryjamesauthor.com):
"…you’ll find a host of independent authors with cracking local yarns.
A.B. Patterson’s Harry’s World is a perfect example. Good old detective noir story involving protagonist Harry Kenmare, a busted-ass former cop turned private investigator. Set in and around the inner city Sydney suburbs, Harry (who has a liking for Jameson whiskey, cigarettes and women) gets into all sorts of trouble helping his clients out of many a sticky situation. And with undertones of corruption, Patterson captures the murky world of the inner-west whilst entertaining readers with Harry’s exploits. From twin prostitutes to corrupt senior police and politicians with breast-sucking fetishes, Harry’s World is a wild ride.”
Some excerpts from reviews on Amazon and elsewhere:
This was a book I started reading thinking it would be reminiscent of an old Ray Chandler or Mickey Spillane, and so it was, but that was just the beginning...
This an interesting novel, very well written, and with very well realized characters...
I recommend this book highly for its humor and excitement, and hope it's not the last we see of Harry and his friends!
- Lynne (Amazon, Barnes & Noble).
Incredibly well written and a story that would drive any parent into a vigilante like vengeance, A.B. Patterson delivers brilliance with his Harry’s World.
- Jay Munson (Amazon).
Website - Meerkat Reviews:
Harry's World - A.B. Patterson. Memories of Raymond Chandler.
Harry Kenmare is a PI...an ex-cop with a penchant for beautiful women and good sex!
The book is written in chapters of Harry's world. Each part is a story on its own though there are threads from the previous parts woven in.
Harry's World shows the seedy underbelly of Sydney - corrupt politicians and police using power and knowledge to their own advantage. The visual nature of the words may be too much for some readers.
Harry calls on other ex-cops, friends in the sex industry and other colourful characters to assist him in his moral crusade against the filth of the city.
Looking forward to the next instalment to Harry's World. Loved the book!
- Helen Connell - book reviewer.
Witty and a nice easy read, I could definitely pick up a sequel to see what PI Kenmare does next.
- Tessa Walters (Amazon).
Very interesting take on the 'typical' detective story which I found to be anything but typical and loved it for this reason. Harry's World surprised me and kept me intrigued not only for the mystery and the suspense of wanting to know the outcome of Harry's struggles but also for the characters Patterson has created who I found very well written and some of them so lovable, Harry included. I enjoyed this character so much so that I would love to read more of his adventures as well as his diverse group of confidants who try to help him rid the world of some of its purest of evils.
- KindleCrazy (Barnes & Noble).
I really enjoyed this book and I've fallen for Harry! He's an interesting character - rough but appealing. This was a fun read with a fast moving plot and enough wry humor to keep me engrossed. Can't wait to see what Harry's up to next.
- Liz (Goodreads).
Author - Robin Elizabeth (on her website www.riedstrap.wordpress.com):
Harry’s World by A.B. Patterson. Rough cop, gritty issues, sexy sexing and beautiful writing.
Crime Author - Diana Hockley (on Amazon):
Being an Australian, I am always drawn to novels written by my countrymen, so it was with great anticipation that I bought this one. I was not disappointed!
Harry is a likeable person...the sex workers, computer hackers and formers colleagues that make up his circle of friends are brought to life in this well written book.
I really liked this novel - though not the subjects who litter Harry's World - and suspect that some of the stories depicted are, sadly, factual rather than created for the plot. If Mr Patterson writes a sequel to this and we hear more of Harry and Tanya and Sasha et al, I will be first in line to purchase a copy.
Crime Author - A.C.Efverman (on Goodreads):
This is a great story - offering a very different main character, set in Sydney. The author has drawn a convincing seedy backdrop to an unflinching realistic view of what takes place out of sight in the dark underbelly of a large city; mixed with a fast paced story line that is obviously fictitious. In all this, Harry's personality looms large through the pages. Harry reminds me of hard detectives from a long gone era - although Harry definitely has a soft centre. Even though I could not read some small parts of this novel due to the graphic nature of scenes involving children - I understand why the author has included these scenes as they paint the grim reality of these situations.
The story kept me captivated throughout - a real page turner.
Crime author - Gregory James (on his website www.gregoryjamesauthor.com):
"…you’ll find a host of independent authors with cracking local yarns.
A.B. Patterson’s Harry’s World is a perfect example. Good old detective noir story involving protagonist Harry Kenmare, a busted-ass former cop turned private investigator. Set in and around the inner city Sydney suburbs, Harry (who has a liking for Jameson whiskey, cigarettes and women) gets into all sorts of trouble helping his clients out of many a sticky situation. And with undertones of corruption, Patterson captures the murky world of the inner-west whilst entertaining readers with Harry’s exploits. From twin prostitutes to corrupt senior police and politicians with breast-sucking fetishes, Harry’s World is a wild ride.”
Some excerpts from reviews on Amazon and elsewhere:
This was a book I started reading thinking it would be reminiscent of an old Ray Chandler or Mickey Spillane, and so it was, but that was just the beginning...
This an interesting novel, very well written, and with very well realized characters...
I recommend this book highly for its humor and excitement, and hope it's not the last we see of Harry and his friends!
- Lynne (Amazon, Barnes & Noble).
Incredibly well written and a story that would drive any parent into a vigilante like vengeance, A.B. Patterson delivers brilliance with his Harry’s World.
- Jay Munson (Amazon).
Website - Meerkat Reviews:
Harry's World - A.B. Patterson. Memories of Raymond Chandler.
Harry Kenmare is a PI...an ex-cop with a penchant for beautiful women and good sex!
The book is written in chapters of Harry's world. Each part is a story on its own though there are threads from the previous parts woven in.
Harry's World shows the seedy underbelly of Sydney - corrupt politicians and police using power and knowledge to their own advantage. The visual nature of the words may be too much for some readers.
Harry calls on other ex-cops, friends in the sex industry and other colourful characters to assist him in his moral crusade against the filth of the city.
Looking forward to the next instalment to Harry's World. Loved the book!
- Helen Connell - book reviewer.
Witty and a nice easy read, I could definitely pick up a sequel to see what PI Kenmare does next.
- Tessa Walters (Amazon).
Very interesting take on the 'typical' detective story which I found to be anything but typical and loved it for this reason. Harry's World surprised me and kept me intrigued not only for the mystery and the suspense of wanting to know the outcome of Harry's struggles but also for the characters Patterson has created who I found very well written and some of them so lovable, Harry included. I enjoyed this character so much so that I would love to read more of his adventures as well as his diverse group of confidants who try to help him rid the world of some of its purest of evils.
- KindleCrazy (Barnes & Noble).
I really enjoyed this book and I've fallen for Harry! He's an interesting character - rough but appealing. This was a fun read with a fast moving plot and enough wry humor to keep me engrossed. Can't wait to see what Harry's up to next.
- Liz (Goodreads).
"... and Leona's garter was garnering cash faster than the collection callout of a televangelist."
- From the Harry short story, "A Sex Kitten for a Cabinet Meeting".
- From the Harry short story, "A Sex Kitten for a Cabinet Meeting".
