Reader Reviews

In the spring of 2009, the good people at Harvill Secker/Random House gave some real-world readers a chance to see advance editions of THE TWELVE. Here's what they thought of it:

Paul L, Liverpool

The book was superb, absolutely riveting from first page to last. The first thing I did when finishing Twelve was pass it on to a friend and said "read this". Sixth Sense meets Harry's Game, as you travel the mean streets of West Belfast to the the bandit country of South Armagh where crosser and double crosser all strive for self preservation, sanity or redemption and to destroy their own personal demons, whatever the cost. However you can't escape your sins and they ultimately catch up with you and there is a price to pay. Can't wait for Stuart Neville's next novel, but he has set a very high benchmark

Patricia B, Edinburgh

The Twelve is a remarkable book. I was expecting a thriller - the quotes on the front, by well-known writers - indicate this, and they are reassuringly complimentary. I was not disappointed. The story moves fast, the action is thrilling and tense, and with a Northern Ireland background it signals real danger and menace. Northern Irish writers have lived through fear and violence. They know what it feels like, and good writers like Stuart Neville know how to weave it into a pacey novel. The tensions between the men of action of former years, who fought for their ideals, and the politicians of today who are determined to keep the peace - for the sake of their own jobs as much as for the good of the country, spills over into violence and hatred. The Twelve is an excellent example of a work of fiction revealing the truth behind a society in a way that another type of writing might be too fearful to try.

Vanessa O, Wicklow

Without doubt this is going to be a best seller - it's compulsive reading, fabulously well written, brilliantly plotted with complex point of view changes that have you hooked - and has moments of total inspiration.

Maggie L, Cheshire

A welcome relief from the usual psychopath type novels that have very little plot which seem to flood the market at the moment. The main character Gerry Fegan is convincingly presented, his search for peace of mind and his discovery that all his acts of terrorism were not for what he thought leads us into the politics of pre-Stormont Ireland in an interesting way. I'll be looking forward to Stuart Neville' next book.

Gareth J, Sheffield

I found The Twelve thoroughly gripping. The torment that Gerry Fegan endures as the 'ghosts' of his victims accompany his every moment and the convincing political background to the story were compelling. I'll recommend it to my book group as I'd love to see what the others think about it.

Sue D, Devon

I have to admit I wasn't overly keen on the idea of a book about a former paramilitary killer, based in northern Ireland, but I stuck with it and found it draws you in. It's a dark, violent tale which just cries out to be made into a film, full of strong characters and underlying it all, the ghostly Twelve - difficult to say any more without giving too much away! It came across as being very realistic, with an ever-present feeling of danger, waiting to erupt. Would I read another by Stuart Neville? Definitely!

Maz L, Worcester

Not being a fan of political fiction, I was blown away by just how much I enjoyed this book. Set amongst a violent world of post-conflict Northern Ireland, The Twelve has a powerful cast of characters whose actions and intentions drive the story forward with incredible speed. Neville's protagonist, Gerry Fegan, is a former paramilitary member that has a brutal and murderous path. Haunted by twelve troubled souls wanting revenge against those responsible for their deaths, Fegan has no choice but to carry out the ghosts' bidding, or live his life tormented by their presence. It is often impossible to know how to feel about Fegan. He is murderer that should be despised, yet his journey inspires forgiveness, and you hope that he will ultimately find redemption. Gripping from the start, this is a political thriller with a difference. Neville's debut novel will have universal appeal, and I would certainly want to read more from him in the future.

Sarah-Louise B, Staffordshire

An absolutely brilliant read it had me hooked from beginning to end. Gerry Fegan a former paramilitary killer is haunted by twelve of the people he has killed, he drinks to try and block them out, but their screaming still drives him on. One day they reveal what they are after, vengeance against the people who played a part in their death, be it the man who meticulously planned their death to cover his own tracks, or the priest who turned his back when he could have saved them. When Fegan starts to kill prominent figures in the peace process of Northern Ireland, not only do his old comrades turn against him, but also after him is a secret agent, a long term undercover who seems to have lost his way, partly due to his need to keep a secret from his past buried, along with his true reasons for being there, and Fegan could turn his work and world upside down.

Natasha M, London

A well-written book, The Twelve managed to keep me guessing all the way through. The relationship between Gerry Fegan and Marie McKenna rings true, and Campbell provides an intriguing counterfoil to Fegan's protagonist. The concept of a murderer being haunted by his victims is not new, but Neville gives it a fresh twist here, with the shadows being banished by retribution.

Toni M, Hampshire

With recent events of terrorism once again in the news, the subject of the book was topical and seemingly very relevant. Stuart Neville has a fast-moving plot line with good and believable characters, from ex-terrorist killers, double agents, politicians out for their own gain, and foot soldiers, still obeying their terrorist leaders. Have we found a new voice in political thrillers? I very much enjoyed this book, and if Stuart Neville has another published, I would happily buy and read it.

John R, Buckinghamshire

I have many times visited Northern Ireland as part of my working responsibilities and have met people from both sides of the sectarian divide and this book has perfectly captured the suspicion and bitterness that still exists. All in all I found the book utterly and frighteningly believable.

Geraldine G, Whitley Bay

A really scary read! I don't always relate to Irish settings but this was very appropriate and the context made the events very real.

Jean D, London

The book was fantastic. I really did not think I would like it when I read the synopsis on the back but I found I could not put it down. There are some really nasty characters in the book but the whole theme of retribution for the victims and resolution for the main character are fascinating. A really good read. I am looking forward to reading something else from this author.

Dawn H, London

I found the book very powerful, particularly as when I was reading it there were the recent troubles going on. It was moving and thought provoking, it gave an unusual outlook, and the characters were well written and you could understand why they did what they did in the past, and how now with hindsight they react in a different way as the situation has changed. I look forward to more from Stuart Neville in the future.