The Fly Guy

I'm an unashamed snob when it comes to literature. I have the capacity to discard a book before getting through the first couple of pages, especially if I don't immediately see anything intellectually stimulating about it. Basically, I struggle to read crap, and my definition of what isn't crap is pretty acute. I didn't know what to expect from this novel: Sanson-Regan being a first time author, the inherent pulpiness of the title, the promise of wanton violence, and especially the tag "a dark thriller". Was this genre fiction? Is it a literature-nasty? From the first paragraph I knew that this wasn't going to be like anything I'd expected. Far from being a piece of genre fiction this novel is singularly, wonderfully odd, defying convention and rendering a genuinely original vision of contemporary noir. As a psychological examination into what it is to be a young creative failing to surpass mediocrity in his field, The Fly Guy is brutally accurate. Martin Tripp is a thoroughly modern character, recognisable in every office in the western world, behind every bar, contributing to every web-based magazine and blog site. Melancholy clings like dew to the narrative from the off, as we first see Martin ritualistically burying his life's work in the sodden earth. But it isn't long before the edges of sanity and reason begin to blur, and the novel reveals it's true genius: an uncompromising and devoted meta-fiction that becomes increasingly relentless, until you find yourself running round an Escheresque hall of mirrors, uncertain of what is what. Yes, the violence is savage, but the stark and unsparing nature of it stirs something primal in the reader. And ultimately there is also a lot of love here, as counterpoint to the horror and the brooding, and it is expertly employed to add sweet complement to the dark overtones. For a debut this really is very strong. It's an utterly compelling read, nourishing intellectually, delectably gruesome, and provocatively weird. I can only say that I'm very much looking forward to reading his next book.

A thrilling and kaleidoscopic psychology experiment, 'The Fly Guy' is evocative, uncompromising and tenacious. Evocative because it produces a reality which is at once vividly familiar and yet unsettlingly distorted. Uncompromising because it may challenge, appal or even disgust you, without you ever wishing to opt out of the experience. Tenacious because it is the kind of novel that keeps you guessing while you're reading, and stays in your head once you've finally put the book down. Highly recommended reading. Franz Kafka noted that one should only read novels that bite you and sting you. 'The Fly Guy' would have kept him awake at night.

The Fly Guy is an exploration of the dark recesses of the mind. With an immense power to create but also destroy, the mind has a disturbing ability to make up it's own realities, controlling and manipulating the body it inhabits, like a puppeteer. A story within a story, the narrative alternates between the two, blurring the boundaries between what's real and what's imagined, creating a feeling of unease and leaving the reader wondering what actually happened but more importantly, what didn't? It starts off well, dips a bit in the middle but picks up pace again and has a chillingly satisfying end. If you're a serial killer crime junkie or a fan of twisted psychological thrillers like me, it will be right up your dark alley!

The Fly Guy is the first book by writer Colum Sanson-Regan, you'll be following the life of Martin Tripp who when we join him; holds down a night-job in a sleazy bar, and works out of his shell of a 1-bed apartment writing short stories. Like his apartment, Martin Tripp's life is empty, his stories are all he has... that is until his newly sparked love interest asks him to move in, and Martin finds himself writing more than ever before - he eventually grabs the attention of a well-known occult magazine with a series of short stories involving detective 'Henry Bloomberg' Henry Bloomburg is made for private detective work, he lives in the shadows, has an exceptional eye for detail and has no attachments. Just like Martin, Henry lives an empty existence apart from his work; hunting whatever murderous psychopaths his clients or the local police are too inept to deal with themselves. Everything seems to be going well for Martin Tripp, until one day he catches Henry Bloomburg at work ...has Martin allowed himself to become so absorbed by his work that he can no longer tell real life from his fiction? I loved the characters in this book, and saw a bit of some people I knew in them, which helped make them feel real to me. This is a dark book, there were a few parts that made me laugh, it has tarantino style quality in it's portrayal of extreme violence and has some disturbing sexual content, but nothing that doesn't add to the charm of this tale, which really kept me guessing right up until the end... at times you will go back and re-read sections of the book, analysing clues left by the author that made me feel like a detective myself!

I haven't read a novel to the end for about two years, not because I dislike reading, but none have held my attention long enough; life got in the way and I ended up losing track of plotlines and putting the books aside, never to be picked up again. That was until last week when my copy of The Fly Guy arrived. I began reading it on the Friday morning and pretty much didn't put it down until I finished the lot a few days later. I found the book thoroughly gripping with great twists and turns. The characters were so real I felt as though I knew them personally, and the way the author described their experiences was so detailed I was completely immersed in their world. I look forward to reading more of Colum's work in the future.

I loved the Fly Guy!! There was so much to think about and I was always dying to know what would happen in each facet of the story while another one took over for a chapter. I can't say I always knew exactly what was going on (but then I expect I wasn't intended to). I possibly made some assumptions at the start, and I don't know if those assumptions led me up some blind alleys in trying to figure out what was actually going on, so my advice on reading would be to let the story tell itself without trying to second-guess too much. The writing was vivid and imaginative, and in some ways Gaimanesque (yes, it's a word now!). I certainly felt myself completely transported to all the settings of the story and involved in the characters which was very powerful even if sometimes they were places I'd rather not be or characters I'd rather not meet. It's a fascinating, enjoyable and powerful read.

The cover of The Fly Guy describes the story as 'A Dark Thriller' and as 'An Intense Psychological Thriller'. Yes and yes on both accounts. If you are into either genre, you definitely want to read this book. If you are not into either genre, you still should consider reading this book as Colum Sanson-Regan has woven a fascinating tale that not only had me wondering how it would end, but kept me engaged throughout the story. I never would have guessed this was his first novel. True confession time: I purchased The Fly Guy because through social media I "met" Colum and learned he was the body double for David Tennant in several episodes of one of my favorite TV series - Doctor Who. Because I am a voracious reader (mostly fiction), I figured 'what the heck, I'll give it a try'. Had I seen it on the shelf at the bookstore I may not have purchased it because these days I'm not as much interested in dark stories as I was in my younger days. Lo and behold I was pleasantly surprised to learn I enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down because I was so curious to discover how the story would unfold. Colum has a gift with words and a creative mind as well. Besides writing and acting he is also a musician. I hesitate to admit The Fly Guy is a bit Stephen King-ish because, really King is the master (dare I say 'the king') of the dark psychological thrillers, but the story does remind me of a Stephen King type novel - intense, gripping, and rather creepy. But don't take my word for it, read it and make your own assessment!

You've heard the adage, "It's like a train wreck; you can't look away," right? That's not what this novel is like. It's much more. It's written with such descriptiveness, such breathtaking imagery, that you're pulled into it so completely you're actually living it. And there's no escaping. It's violent beyond your wildest imaginings, outdoing even the darkest and most remote recesses of your mind. And yet, in that violence is a kind of beauty. There are characters brought to life on each page, not through their likable charismatic but somehow damaged personalities, but by virtue of their humanity and vulgarity. The darkness of this work is outshone only by the character development of the players and the mind-twisting complexity of reality versus written word. It's a novel within a novel, and sometimes, knowing which is "reality" and which is not, can be quite the task, one shared by Martin Tripp, the main character. Reading this novel should not be relaxing. If it is, you're doing it wrong. But you won't be able to put it down, either; you'll enjoy each and every twist and turn of this magnificent train wreck.

I really enjoyed reading The Fly Guy. The cover promises a dark thriller, and Colum Sanson-Regan delivers with this story of a writer whose characters sort of start to blend into his reality. I love the way you are walked through both worlds as they are happening, and reading just one chapter is never enough because you have to know what happens next! The attention to detail is so fine, you can see every scene right in front of you. The open ending is perfect, as it makes you think about how the story got there, and makes you want to ask questions and discuss with others who have read it. So, get a group of friends, read The Fly Guy together, and find out how you all see it!

What I enjoyed about the story where the characters, cliché I know but as a mystery/thriller if the characters don’t catch me within the first I will put the book down and not return to reading the novel. The author’s writing uses detachment with the main character this causes a narrative that can be stilted, and choppy as if you are not quite sure what is real or imagination, this presents a surreal quality to the story. As the title suggests the book is dark and while that may not be for some I enjoyed the way the story unfolded and the disconnection of characters.