''The Accident Man'' is the first novel of the ''Samuel Carver'' series by

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writer, Tom Cain, released on 2 July 2007 through Bantam Press.

Plot

The novel proposes a fictional account for the events surrounding the

death of Diana, Princess of Wales In the early hours of 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales died from injuries sustained earlier that day in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Dodi Fayed, Diana's partner, and Henri Paul, their chauffeur, were found d ...

, based on some of the conspiracy theories in subsequent circulation. The central character, Samuel Carver, is an ex-marine, now assassin, who is tricked into committing the act. The story focuses on Carver's efforts to avoid his ex-employers' attempts on his life, whilst he tries to discover the origins of the "kill order", and bring those involved to justice.

Movie

The novel was optioned by

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in 2007, however this was during the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike and no further details have been released since.

Reception

The novel was relatively well received, with critics mainly praising the novels fast-paced action and creative storyline. Some critics have, however, criticised the novels "not entirely believable" romance between Carver and his Russian would-be killer Alix. Carol Memmott of ''

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'' praised the novel, calling it is a "thrill-a-minute debut" and commenting on Cain's "stunning imagining of the lives and minds of paid assassins and Russian gang members". In a review by '' The Calgary Herald'' for Canada.com, Dan Healing praises the novels "attention to detail", Cain's ability to both build and relax the tension at the right times; overall Healing calls the novel a "tour de force, especially for a first-time novelist". ''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was fo ...

s'' Susanna Yager stated, in a positive review, that "it's all splendidly implausible and ideal reading for the beach". Oline H. Cogdill, for '' Pittsburgh Live'', was more critical of the novel. She stated that "a predictable, and not entirely believable, romance mars "The Accident Man's" originality, as does the de rigueur villain who can't be killed but talks your ear off", however also states that "Cain keeps the scenery breathtaking and the action heart-stopping". These sentiments were mirrored by ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' who opined that "hopefully, Cain will keep the mayhem and soft-pedal the love interest in his next Samuel Carver thriller". the ''

New Statesman The ''New Statesman'' is a British political and cultural magazine published in London. Founded as a weekly review of politics and literature on 12 April 1913, it was at first connected with Sidney and Beatrice Webb and other leading members ...

'' was particularly critical, with reviewer Hannah Davies finding the protagonist Carver to be "remarkably stupid", the premise to be "ludicrous"; stating, of the novel, "any originality is soon sacrificed to flashy set pieces".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Accident Man 2007 British novels Novels set in Paris British thriller novels Novels by Tom Cain Books about Diana, Princess of Wales Bantam Press books