YA crime & mystery thrillers blend high stakes drama, fast paced storytelling and characters pushing against the edge of the law that makes irresistible reading. This genre thrusts its young page turners into dark and dangerous alleyways and moral grey zones while highlighting how courage, loyalty and justice collide in a world where one wrong turn can change everything, readers are hooked from the start. Crusher by Niall Leonard embodies that electric pulse-pounding tension, demonstrating why we can’t look away when the sirens blare and the shadows deepen. A gritty YA crime thriller that packs a punch.
Crusher is the first novel in the Crusher series and the debut novel by Niall Leonard. Crusher is the first in a trilogy, a gritty crime-thriller for YA readers. It features seventeen-year-old Finn Maguire, who is dyslexic with a minor criminal record, he has a dead-end job flipping burgers and is essentially living a dull life.
Finn’s life is about to change.
After arriving home after work one evening, he finds his stepfather brutally murdered, bludgeoned to death. Branded the prime suspect by the police, Finn is determined to find out who the real killer is and the reason why someone hated his father enough that they would want to kill him. He plunges into London’s dark underworld, flipping burgers by day to pay the bills and hunting a killer by night, with the aim to clear his name and uncover the truth. The only way he is going to find and catch the killer, is to become a killer himself.
TO CATCH A KILLER,
HE HAD TO BECOME ONE
Niall Leonard / Crusher
Overall, I found Crusher to be an excellent crime-thriller. It’s absorbing storytelling propels the reader through the tale and it kept me engrossed in the story, making it very hard to put down. The plot is compelling, and the main character of Finn is excellent; a troubled teen who is not perfect but is caring and persistent in his quest. It skirts the line between lawful pursuit and street justice, posing questions about how far one should go for the truth.
The story is packed with action and violence (sometimes quite brutal violence). Its fast-paced action has plenty of twists and turns to keep young page turners interested and entertained.
The characters are excellent, especially Finn whose dyslexia shapes his stubborn resourcefulness and his hunger for redemption. Zoe is sharp-witted and fearless and helps to guide Finn along. And then there is McGovern, the murky and dangerous antagonist, the untouchable crime boss at the heart of London’s gangland, who adds edge to the story.
I would highly recommended Crusher. I thought it was a well written debut YA crime novel by Niall Leonard. Finn’s journey from wrongly accused teen to determined avenger sinks its hooks in and doesn’t let go. For YA readers seeking a no-nonsense thriller that challenges as much as it thrills, Crusher is a knockout debut.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £12.99 (Hardback) / £8.99 (Paperback) / £5.99 (Kindle)
For more information, visit niallleonard.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
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