The Test

Nathan Leamon Constable €19.09

Nathan Leamon used to work as a performance analyst for the England cricket team and turns his experience to his advantage in this outstanding first novel. James, its likeable, thoughtful hero, is busting a gut to lead his side to Ashes glory while also striving to be a good son, husband and father. The book deserves a readership beyond the narrow circle of cricket buffs. The characterisation is excellent and the writing has a crispness from which novelists with more literary pretensions could learn.