Book Review: The Breaking of Liam Glass by Charles Harris

This is a curious and mostly satisfying novel. It bills itself as a satire, but it is rather more cynical than that. A kid has been stabbed and the worst instincts of humanity descend. Race-baiting police, vote-grubbing politicians, and exploitative journalists.

I can't comment on the accuracy of the satire of the press - but it feels real. It's full of the hungriest, nastiest people who will step over anyone and cross any moral line in pursuit of a headline.

Similarly, the political commentary isn't exactly subtle - but it will raise your blood pressure.

Perhaps that's the aim of the book? The author is an equal opportunity cynic. Every paragraph is so wry that it can only have been written with a permanently raised eyebrow. You'll leave it frustrated and bitter.

There are no heroes in the story - just a series of increasingly desperate villains all trying to profit from a senseless tragedy - which makes for a difficult read at times.