Tall Oaks

Noir has an anarchic new voice * Sarah Hilary * A brilliant, beautiful, sad, funny book . . . It made me laugh, but it also made me cry more than any other book I've read this year * Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths * Tall Oaks is a pleasingly unusual mixture of psychological thriller and screwball comedy from a young writer who is clearly not afraid to take risks . . . its combination of verve, humour and pathos make it well worth a read. An absolute delight . . . highly original -- Laura Wilson * The Guardian * A perpetually fascinating read * Heat * It's rare that a novel can be both brilliantly comic and tragic, and balance the two so effortlessly but this tale does exactly that - with a tense rollercoaster of a story. A fine debut -- Jade Craddock * Sun * A gripping debut about a secret ridden American town that is propelled into the national spotlight when a three year old goes missing * Mail on Sunday * Entertains and intrigues * The Sunday Times Crime Club * Tall Oaks was an amazing read . . . Clever, atmospheric and with possibly the most diverse and divisive set of characters found together in one book . . . a deeply absorbing, character driven joy to read. All the characters are intensely well drawn, the setting is pitch perfect, the dialogue crackles most especially when Manny is involved - oh Manny how I will miss you . . . From the haunting and really quite scary opening salvo to the utterly unexpected and totally killer ending, the goings on in the town of Tall Oaks will grip you entirely. Pure brilliance. Highly Recommended. In my running for book of the year * Liz Loves Books * I absolutely loved this debut . . . what a delight this was, revealing itself as a brilliant cross between Twin Peaks and Fargo, and with some beautifully paced reveals that definitely caught this reader on the hop. It made me smile wryly, laugh out loud and gasp in appreciation throughout, with a colourful cast of characters that Whitaker introduces and pivots between seamlessly, slowly drawing us into the connections between them. There are moments of genuine tension carefully interspersed with warmth and humour, as this band of misfits, for various reasons, go about their daily lives, with the overriding urge to make personal and emotional connections with friends, lovers and relatives. It's wonderfully plotted, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Highly recommended * Raven Crime Reads * I always know when a book has completely blown me away - as a reader, I want to weep because I've finished it and I will never again get to experience it for the first time, and as a writer, it makes me want to weep because I wish I had written it myself. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BOOKS * Reading Room With A View * Chris Whitaker cleverly set many clues and red herrings as to what had happened to Harry and when it was finally revealed, I was taken totally by surprise! The reader is treated to a cast of intriguing quirky characters and their stories all come together painting a great portrait of life in this small American town * Portobello Books Blog * Manny is a brilliant mix of bravado and teenage angst. This character gives the novel an extra little sparkle which makes it worth seeking out * Reviews Revues * You seriously have to read this book . . . brilliant * Lipstick and Lace Blog * Chris Whitaker writes at a good pace and the ending of the book took me completely by surprise. It is fantastic * Dot Scribbles * A dramatic and totally unexpected conclusion - it is well worth reading the book for that plotline alone and Manny and his family were really loveable characters, but I think Jared's back story touched me the most * It Takes A Woman * It's so original and captivating and weird and interesting and a really, really great read. It's a thriller but also funny with dark humour and its gripping, like really gripping. It sort of feels like a bit of a classic book in the making, one that you are going to want to pass around your family and friend

Chris Whitaker is the award-winning author of Tall Oaks and All The Wicked Girls. Both books were published to widespread critical acclaim, with Tall Oaks going on to win the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger Award. Chris lives in Hertfordshire with his family. Follow Chris on Twitter @WhittyAuthor