The Collaborator Paperback – 10 Jun. 2010

On the back of this novel the Sunday Telegraph says " A Master Of His Craft" and that is exactly what Gerald Seymor is. Five out of six readers gave this book five stars and the sixth gave it three, saying the book is predictable, which i have to disagreee with as nothing about Gerald Seymor's books is predictable. Every book the guy writes is pure pleasure. He is the sort of author who could write five hundred pages about a ping-pong ball and get you begging for more.As for the story, it reminded me of "In Honour Bound" 1984 with the hero being a loveable character called Barney Crispin. In "The Collaborator" Barney is Lucas the negotiator and he is woven in slowly to the story. It is not so much about Lucas, but out of all the characters, Lucas i find is the most interesting. The story starts out in London where Eddie Deacon a very ordinary brit meets by chance a not very ordinary Italian beauty called Immacolata Borrelli daughter of the famous Borrelli clan out of Naples. Without ruining the story for you Immacolata decides to turns her whole family into the Italian authorities after a very close friend of hers dies.Once the decision is made, the story moves to Italy where we learn all about the "clans" (nasty lot !) and we get to know another likeable guy called Mario Castrolami a senior investigator with the Italian Justice miistry. Slowly we understand where Lucas is coming from and the pace really moves along to what i say is not the ending i would have liked, yet is typical of Mr Seymor. (maybe i am too sentimental).So in conclusion, if you want a first-class story, then don't think twice about buying this book or any one of Mr Seymor's previous books.ABSOLUTELY FIRST RATE !!!And now sadly we have to wait another year for his next one.

As tourists in Italy, we were warned about Naples and visited other tourist destinations instead. This book reinforces everything we were told, with Mafia-style chieftains ruling their territories like medieval tyrants. The tale unfolds in an interesting way, painting the characters in detail right up to the somewhat surprising end.

When I think of books that I put everything else down to read when they arrive - eg. those by Richard Stark, John le Carre, John Grisham (early to mid-career), Mo Hayder, Lee Child, John Connolly, Michael Marshall, etc., Seymour trumps them all. I'd read a new book by him before any other.I've read the lot and this is certainly up in the top few that he's done. The hellish atmosphere of the Camorra-ridden neighbourhoods in Naples, the appalling odds the courageous few uncorrupted police face, the psychopathic focus on domination and money that the Camorra clan-leaders show, and the rubbing up of ordinary people against the frightening power of organised crime, are all wonderfully portrayed. That this is in the 'thriller' genre shouldn't detract from the fact that Seymour's writing is first-class. He is a master at taking a few elements and building an atmosphere as the plot gathers unstoppable momentum.I've been through *a lot* of thrillers, and IMO Seymour really is the best writer in this genre in the world. No one like him.

This story could have been told in half the time it was ridiculously drawn out and became boring also hard to believe

I pre-ordered this book and was delighted to receive it. It deals with a different kind of plot to those of recent books by Gerald Seymour - but the quality of the writing, and the extent to which you are drawn into the story is unsurpassed.Seymour's past novels though always worth reading, often began slowly with much scene setting and drawing out of characters. This one dives right in and creates a new atmosphere of tension as well as introducing characters that are convincing and - in some cases - endearing (Eddie).Seymour takes us to the criminal underbelly of Naples via a London Street and an enigmatic account of a Columbian incident - but the relationship of Eddie with the collaborator sets another agenda and draws the reader in at a different level to the other Seymour novels.I commend it unreservedly.

If you want a detailed understanding of the seamier side of our planet, catch a Gerald Seymour. He takes us back to our animal roots. What is civilisation? Who is civilised? Readable - yes, detailed - yes, instructive - yes, human - yes.

Seymour's research is extensive and (for him) dangerous. A terrific insight into the methods and actions of the criminal gangs of Naples and area. The tourist board of Naples would not be happy but its a great thriller written by an author trained in journalism hence the great eye for detail which enhances the narrative. Recommended.

Londoner Eddie falls in love with Italian Mac (Immacolata) when unexpectedly Mac disappears from Eddie’s life.Little does Eddie know when he goes to Italy to look for “His Mac” that she is the grand daughter and daughter and sister of ruthless mobsters and she has turned on her family.So Eddie travels to Naples looking for Mac and stumbles into a very dangerous/life threatening situation which is quite tense and exciting.This would be a definite 5 star but the author, Gerald Seymour, pads the book out with unnecessary repeats and what if which tends to take the edge off but nevertheless still a good read.

gritty,empathic,sad but enobling

Seymour is an excellent writer in every way. His characters are well drawn, plots interesting, suspenseful, and believable. If you are looking for a black and white, simple thriller, Seymour is probably not for you. His plots and characters are much more subtle.

Damit meine ich, dass Gerald Seymour, ein Vielschreiber, auch hier wieder eine spannende, von Sachkenntnis unterstützte Story erzählt, in der die Personen leben, glaubhaft sind und Eigenschaften entwickeln, und in der die beschriebene Handlung sich vor dem inneren Auge des Lesers abspielt. Das muss man als Autor erst mal können, und dann in vielen Romanen diese Qualität halten. Doch, sehr lesenswert.

Les fans de Gerald Seymour ne seront pas déçus.Une fois de plus l'intrique est bien menée, les personnages comme à l'accoutumée sont forts dans leur ordinaire; pas de héros sans faille; pas de bons sentiments. Juste la vie de gens bouffés par le quotidien, usés, parfois blasés et qui font ce qu'ils peuvent. Et, ce n'est pas toujours joli.Amateurs de happy end s'abstenir.Pour ceux qui aiment Seymour, un régal!!!!

Excellent. Narration is Superb. highly engrossing