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Summary: Martini's Review
Review: A masterful medley of witty humor, seduction, reality and suspense... The Up and Comer is an impressive thriller which will have you intriqued and entertained from beginning to end. A must read!
Rating: 
Summary: A Ho-Hum Effort
Review: A young man in love with himself hops in and out of bed with various females. As a result, two people die and he ends up in jail. All the rest is "fill." This book is short on plot and there are few characters (if any) the reader can identify with. It's a good moral lesson and the writer writes well BUT! - when you finish, you are well aware that it was not a trip worth taking. My hope is that I can forget this novel and that I'll remember the author's name, so that I do not read his future efforts.
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Summary: This Book Has It All!
Review: After having recently finished Roughan's second book, The Promise Of A Lie, which was very good, I went back to read his debut thriller, The Up And Comer. I enjoyed this book a great deal as well. Roughan is at the very least an "Up and Comer" in the thriller genre, and I'd say he's definitely arrived. He's joined the group of writers that I consider to be "must reads." The Up And Comer has it all -- a captivating plot, thrills, suspense, humor, strong characters, sex, clever dialogue, etc.Without giving away the plot, the story involves a lawyer who decides to take the law into his own hands to try to prevent being exposed for an affair that will threaten the existence of his near perfect lifestyle. Despite his limited sense of morality, Roughan's main character, Philip Randall, is one you can't help liking (and rooting for) even though he stands for many things most people would say they dislike in a person. I highly recommend The Up And Comer as an excellent beach read. It's the type of book that once you start reading, you won't want to stop until you finish it. Do yourself a favor and read this book, as well as Roughan's latest, The Promise Of A Lie. If you're like me, Roughan will soon become one of your "must read" authors.
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Summary: a really great first novel
Review: Even though I do not usually enjoy novels/thrillers written in the first person, this one grabbed me almost from the first page. The story is highly enjoyable, fast, tense, humourous and satisfying, and the writing is impeccable. Philip Randall, an able, intelligent and charming young lawyer, has a dark side to him and some real selfishness in his character. The author's big achievement is, even though all his bad qualities are clear from the beginning, the reader cannot help liking him and identyfing with him. The story really grabbed me and the characters were very "real". I was cross with myself for not figuring out the ending as there were enough clues left lying around. Altogether a highly satisfying read and I look forward to Mr. Roughan's next book.
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Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Howard Roughan is definitely an "up and comer" in the world of fiction. THE UP AND COMER wastes no time drawing you into its action and after the opening paragraph, I was completely hooked. THE UP AND COMER is one of the most entertaining and best debut novels that I've read this year. Roughan is a natural storyteller, with an uncanny ear for pitch perfect dialogue. Fast, furious, funny and hip, THE UP AND COMER was a novel I couldn't wait to finish, but hated to see end. This is a book that should definitely not be missed, and hopefully the wait for Mr. Roughan's next novel will not be a long one.
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Summary: The Up and Comer Keeps Climbing
Review: I absolutely loved reading THE UP AND COMER. Despite the infidelity of the main character, Philip Randall, a man who seemingly had everything one could only dream about,it was difficult to dislike him. There were times I actually laughed out loud because the dialogue was that funny when least expected. I'm hoping there will be a sequel to this book because I'd really like to see Philip make a complete Up and Comeback!
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Summary: I LOVED IT
Review: I hardly ever finish a book and I couldn't put this one down!! It has a little bit of everything, sarcasm, humor, suspense, I just loved it!!
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing and story telling were first rate. I even thought the ending was "right", in that it was not necessarily a "happy" ending, it was appropriate for the "crimes" committed. While I hate comparisons to other authors, this is the kind of book Grisham used to write.
Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing and story telling were first rate. I even thought the ending was "right", in that it was not necessarily a "happy" ending, it was appropriate for the "crimes" committed. While I hate comparisons to other authors, this is the kind of book Grisham used to write.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Review: I really loved this book! It was well-written, funny, and very entertaining. I couldn't stop reading it! As soon as I put it down, I wanted to pick it up again! I was not surprised to read that they are going to make a movie out of this book. It should be a great one. I am really looking forward to this author's next novel! Keep on writing, Howard!
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