Among Thieves, By Mez Packer Tindal

Mez Packer has triumphantly pulled off the trick of writing across the gender divide – each of her male characters is complex and convincing. The energy of the writing and the darkness of the story are reminiscent of Martin Amis, circa Dead Babies and Success – but it is better plotted. It's a hard-edged story with plenty of tension and violence, but it has a heart, too. What starts out as a sour tale of grievance and revenge has an unexpectedly sweet and satisfying conclusion.