Paul Harrison (3) (1942–)

While a biography of former Leeds player Albert Johanneson was long-overdue, this failed attempt lets down its subject. Instead, this is a poorly written series of "interviews" with Johanneson that raises many questions about the sources of the material. The book reports also to have have enjoyed the support of his friends and family, however, there is very little content in the book to suggest that they contributed much, if anything, at all.

Author Paul Harrison has written numerous "biographies" in this same vein: long-deceased subjects, bearing all to Harrison alone in interviews claimed to have been conducted more than a decade ago. Despite having exclusive access, these "biographies" contain nothing that could not have been gleaned from newspapers and other published sources, and all seem to suffer from the same lack of unique material that would be evident from genuine interviews with their subjects (See also: Keep Fighting, and Northern & Proud).

Johanneson's story is one that ended tragically. His story should shouldn't just end there. His story should also remind the footballing world of his talents and bravery in crossing the colour barrier and playing at the highest level in English football (he was the first black player in an FA Cup final). That book is still out there and is still waiting to be written.… (altro)

This may well have been called "The definitive biography" of Billy Bremner, but it is very far from that. Sadly, this is a another dubious "biography" from Paul Harrison. This is the third football "biography" he has published (See Black Flash and Northern and Proud) where the subject has been long deceased, and yet Harrison has managed to sit on these "exclusive" interviews since 1997.

The book is littered with errors, is poorly written, and suffers from the author's complete lack of any other discernible research into Bremner's life and career. Page after page of this book is filled with what are supposed to be Bremner's own words, yet we learn nothing of his life and career that hadn't been already published elsewhere. I suppose the reader is supposed to take the words at face value: but they don't feel right.

I was quite frankly stumped at by the preface quote from John Charles who died in 2004, saying the book was a "fine tribute". While this may be genuine, this is the problem with this book, and others that Harrison writes. More often than not, the direct quotes come from people long deceased, and according to Harrison, gave private interviews to him years previous. It’s very difficult to determine if these are genuine quotes or not, and raises many questions.

It is also disingenuous to take published quotes from people, as Harrison does, from other sources and claim that they have "contributed to the book".

All dubiousness aside, nothing in this book adds to the story of Billy Bremner. It also highlights how little editing, fact checking, and quality control goes into football publishing these days, and the genre is suffering immensely for it.… (altro)

Do not judge this book by the cover! It may not have the most polished artwork on the cover but it's what's inside that matters and this is one cracking crime novel that makes your skin crawl. I can't even write my review without my skin standing rigid on high alert.

Crikey, what a hidden surprise this book turned out to be! I thought I was in for a run of the mill British police murder investigation but oh, how wrong I was! Think Jimmy Savile multiplied by ten and you get some idea of the scum hiding in East Yorkshire. They think they are hiding, but somebody knows who they are and what they are up to. As a killer rids the county of such vile characters, they want the police to link the crimes by leaving a little calling card - a silver metal angel, known as a malakim.

Will and Daisy are called in to investigate and I loved the dynamic between the two of them, so I'm rather pleased that this book is the first in a trilogy, meaning we get to read more about them. I do feel as if we've only scratched the surface of their characters, so I can't wait to read more!

There's a vigilante on the loose in East Yorkshire, so those people in glass houses better batten down the hatches and hope they're not next! I think that's what hit home for me whilst reading Revenge of the Malakim, people think they are above the law and won't get caught. People in authority often exploit their position without a second thought for their victims, so I found myself in rather an unusual position of rooting for the killer rather than the victim.

A rather surprising page-turner, Revenge of the Malakim is a riveting British crime novel and deserves every single one of the 5 stars I have awarded. More please!

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.… (altro)