Dead Keen
Denise Ryan
Published by Judy Piatkus, Aug. 3, 2000
ISBN 0 7499 3180 9
Paperback 357pp
Review by Marian Hussenbux
'What am I like?'
Where are we, in this book?
Yes, we're in Liverpool! Every Liverpudlian takes in this humorous, chiding expression with his mother's milk.
Denise Ryan, born upcountry in Ormskirk, is now an honorary Scouser. Dead Keen, her second novel, takes us on a trip round 'Seffy' - Sefton Park - Lark Lane and into Chinatown for some dim sum.
Her protagonist, Justine Flynn, has everything - good looks, a trendy job in an advertising agency, a sexy GP husband-to-be and a red BMW. She also has a very deadly admirer.
The opening of Dead Keen is reminiscent of a Ruth Rendell novel, but the characters seem less solid and more stereotypical. The story, written in a fluent, readable style, carries us along, one traumatic event leading to another. The reader barely has time to absorb one disaster before another comes hard on its heels. What with an unhinged stalker, a dangerous policeman and a mysterious Russian woman, the book is action-packed and would probably make a good film.
I found the plot quite gripping and wanted to know how the whole sorry mess would pan out. Justine, initially a somewhat insubstantial stock character, embarks on a steep learning curve, prompted by a concatenation of appalling circumstances.
Liverpool is doing its best to overcome a tough, not to say violent, reputation and Dead Keen doesn't really help. We certainly see the city's dark side and meet some extremely unpleasant people, both men and women. And nobody really comes to a good end in this story.
What are they like?
