Electrician and building contractor Mark Poynter certainly finds himself caught between a rock (DCI Senia) and a very hard place (local gangster and nightclub owner Hamlet) when he appears to be the connecting link between three suspicious deaths, those of his subcontractor and friend Tommy, sort-of cousin Sally and a man who owed him a hefty sum for work completed. Tommy was certainly involved with some shady characters, including Hamlet who asks for Mark’s help in getting at Sally’s boyfriend, whilst “persuading” Mark to do some definitely off-the-books night-time work on the side. Whilst dodging his creditors and trying to keep his head above water, Mark finds help, friendship and a little bit more in the form of his new neighbour Perry. So will Mark manage to prove his innocence while also staying out of the clutches of Medway’s leading villain?
Loved it! With unforgettable characters such as Uncle Bern, Disco, Harpo, Old John, Boris The Plastic, the Two Ronnies and Mr Skinner to name but a few, this is a highly enjoyable comic crime romp, full of humour, suspicious coppers, hardmen and a motley bunch of tradesmen. There were some real laugh out loud moments, plenty of thrills and a great plot in this introduction to what promises to be an excellent series.

I love a cosy mystery, and I like the idea of a comedic style mystery - however I was a bit disappointed with this book. There was a lot of actual construction terminiology, and it just wasn't as humourous as I would have hoped.

Part Poirot and part Mortdecai, this book is the first in a new crime series and promises to deliver readers years of future fun and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed Poynter and his crew of rascals, criminals, and rejects.

I started this book with high expectations - the blurb sounded convincing, however I was quickly disappointed.

This book is not well structured or written, characters turn up out if the blue wth no explanation, and the dialogue leads lots to be desired.

A disappointing book.

A fun mystery with plenty of twists and a delightfully odd bunch of characters so realistically portrayed that they practically jump off the pages. More humorous than laugh out loud funny, puts me in mind of The Burglar series by Lawrence Block.

Death of a Painter is not the type of mystery where you get all the clues and try to put it together; you just go along for the ride as electrician Mark Poynter bumbles along trying to keep his life from coming apart as he navigates the hazards of angry creditors, suspicious police inspectors, and the local crime boss while trying to figure out who is killing people he knows.

Recommended to those who enjoy a good quirky mystery that's more than a cozy but not really hardboiled.

Some violence, strong language and adult content (Rated PG-13).

This engaging adventure is layered with dark humor, twists, turns and thrills. A wonderful read from beginning to end!

1.5 STARS

Death Of A Painter is the first in a new series of darkly comic crime fiction novels featuring the beleaguered builder Mark Poynter, aided and hindered in equal measure by his trusted crew of slackers, idlers and gossips, and the lengths they go to just to earn a living.

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Okay, so I really enjoyed the first 1/4 of this book and got quite the kick out of all the small business/construction jargon included. Coming from a family that works in construction, I figured this would be a sure fire win for me. Alas, it was not to be. I found the story started to drag after a while and I really struggled to connect with Mark and keep all the secondary characters straight. That being said, this book was well written and would be the perfect read for someone looking to "cozy up" with a good British mystery. It just wasn't for me.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC. This book is out now!

I love this book: humour, great characters and a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I will surely read other books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A very unusual down to earth debut from Matthew Ross, which I thoroughly recommend.
There are some comical moments and more serious scenes. I enjoyed the building/tradesman reference.
I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Death Of A Painter by Matthew Ross has a subtitle of Mark Poynter Book 1. I think I hope this is the start of a series. Let me explain that puzzling statement…

This is an excellent book – I wish I could give it six stars. The narrator’s voice is exactly what you’d expect from a tradesman who also project manages jobs like house extensions and kitchen refits; balancing the clients’ demands and expectations with managing a bunch of mixed-ability workers. And, above all, trying to get the cash from clients before he really really has to pay suppliers and sub-contractors. Sometimes the “before” turns into “after” – and that creates problems. Physical ones. Fist into face type ones.

And that’s the trouble – the narrative is SO incredibly authentic (as you might expect with an author brought up in the building trade in the Medway Towns), I identified with Mark Poynter 150% and constantly worried who would try to get at me/him next. I could not put this book down until it was all over. I don’t know if I could go through that again with Book 2!

Poynter works in the Medway Towns in Kent. The book starts with him looking at the bashed-in head of his murdered mate, Tommy, lying on Mrs Wilkes’ kitchen floor and thinking “… there’s no way now this job will be finished by Friday.” That black humour pops up throughout the book and is beautifully done – sardonic and well positioned, such as the thought of an imaginary film: Carry On Dying.

The villains are thuggish and violent, although the local Mr Big, Ian Hamlet, is a psychopath as well, but the fellow tradesmen are beautifully delineated individuals, like David “Disco” Dancer. Disco slides into the position of Mark’s right-hand man during the story, despite him being introduced as a borderline alcoholic. The Roncskevitzs are identical twins, known as the Two Ronnies, and can be easily distinguished because Chris has a beard and Gavin wears glasses. Except, of course, there’s been a sponsored shave and laser surgery on the eyes…

There’s even a possible romance when Mark gets a friendly nurse as a new next-door neighbour.

The book is crying out to be made into a film – read it before it’s famous!

#DeathOfAPainter #NetGalley

Wow what a brilliant book. I only really chose this book because my husband is a painter and decorator but as soon as I started reading I knew the decision was the right one. The characters are so true to life and I am sure we could all relate to one of them as someone we know. The storyline sets just the right pace and the ending was actually surprising. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
If you want a good 'cozy' crime book with a twist you will not go wrong with this one, and it will also appeal to male readers who according to my other half do not have a lot of choice in this catergory. Please read this book you will not be disappointed.