A follow up to The Whistleblower, set a decade later in 2007/8 and again featuring journalist Gil Peck. Now Peck has moved on to the BBC and sees early signs of a coming financial disaster. But there are many powerful people who don't appreciate his work - including several who stand to make obscene amounts of money.

Again, Peston uses his inside knowledge of actual events to create a convincing "alternate reality" storyline. It's compelling reading, mixing politics and economics with the kind of secret manoeuvres usually found in spy novels.

Many of the key characters clearly have real world inspirations, and it's easy for the reader to become distracted. And there's perhaps too much detail of clothes and wine. But The Crash is a good read with an unexpected and thrilling ending.

Rating: 3.9/5

I am often wary of reading novels by celebrities who have decided to turn their hand to literary fiction. However, I was sufficiently impressed by Robert Peston's debut fictional novel, "The Whistleblower", that I had no hesitation in coming back to read the sequel, "The Crash".

If you have read "The Whistleblower" you will recognize the lead protagonist, Gil Peck, who returns in that central role. This time the setting has moved on from the late 1990s and the action takes place amid the banking crisis of 2007. Peck is no longer a political newspaper journalist, but is now working for the BBC. Indeed, it is he who will break the story of a high profile bank in the north of England that appears to be in significant trouble. All hell is breaking loose - not just in the UK economy, but also in Peck's personal life, with his long-term lover - who just happens to work for the Bank of England - being found hanged. Are the events linked or is this merely coincidence?

As with "The Whistleblower" Robert Peston once again "writes what he knows" and draws on his status as an experienced political journalist with in-depth knowledge of business and economics. Anyone who can cast their minds back to 2007 will be able to recognize some thinly disguised fictional characters from that period, as well as the references to some real life personalities. Robert Peston blends factual occurrences with an imaginary alternative reality to create an engaging and (mostly) believable political thriller.

A made the comment in my review of "The Whistleblower" that Peston's style struck me as a little erratic at times and I sensed that he was still searching for his fiction-writing DNA. I think it would be fair to say that the author now has a far clearer vision in that respect and "The Crash" is all the better for it. I would be very surprised if Gil Peck doesn't return at least once more and I will be looking forward to reading that next instalment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

I started to read this book and did get a few chapters in, however this book was not for me.

I think some readers with no background in banking will love this book but having been a financial consultant and having taken some exams financial exams I found this book too ‘dumbed down’. I was also not keen on the swearing in the book. Swearing does not usually bother me but I felt it was not needed and did not particularly like the use of the C*** word.

I have given this book 3 stars despite not finishing as I think some readers will enjoy this book despite it just not being for me.

I'm a big fan of Robert Peston and really enjoyed his first novel, The Whistleblower, so I was really pleased to be offered the chance to read the follow up, The Crash.

Again, Peston uses his knowledge and experience of politics to tell the story of the financial crash, the run on a well known back and his protagonist, Gil Peck, right in the middle of it. When his lover, who happens to work for the Bank of England, commits suicide against the backdrop of these circumstances, Gil's instincts tell him that all is not right.....

Again, this was really enjoyable for me. Whilst I can be a bit wary of celebs using their profile to step over other novelists, Peston can clearly write, has a brilliant storytelling mind and has the necessary knowledge and experience to make it all feel very real. He readily admits that his characters are fictional , but also largely based on people he has met throughout his career.

Another great novel from Peston and I highly recommend to all.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books, Zaffre for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

A sensational page turner with all the ingredients that make an excellent thriller. I recommend it to all who enjoy this kind of thriller. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.