Reviews of Killer Instinct |
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New US paperback
includes introduction by Lee Child 
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Busted Flush Press US Trade Paperback May 2010 |
ISIS Publishing UK Large Print Feb 2010 |
Piatkus Books UK Hardback Aug 2001 Paperback Feb 2002 |
'The bloody bar fights are bloody brilliant, and Charlie's skills are both formidable and for real.'
'Charlie Fox came on strong in Zoë Sharp's early novels but, like a lot of tough girls, softened up with time. Now, thanks to an enterprising small press, we can catch Charlie in the rough. Originally published in 2001, KILLER INSTINCT (Busted Flush, paper, $15) finds this army-trained martial-arts expert on her first job, working security for a club in an English seaside town. Charlie looks like a made-for-TV model, with her red hair and motorcycle leathers, but Sharp means business. The bloody bar fights are bloody brilliant, and Charlie's skills are both formidable and for real.'
'Zoë Sharp's Charlie Fox is my favorite woman in the thriller genre.'
'It's hard to review one of Zoë Sharp's Charlie Fox thrillers without referring to motorcycles. They're such a part of Charlie's life and the stories, that the phrases spring to mind immediately. David Morrell said "As action packed and streamlined as the Suzuki . . ." Mark Billingham refers to the "high-octane thrills." Killer Instinct is as sleek and fast as everyone says. And, it's a treat to welcome back Charlie Fox.
'If you read First Drop and the other books in the series, published earlier in the U.S., you'll be pleased to finally learn of Charlie's beginnings. And, if you haven't read these books, start with Killer Instinct. It will give you the chance to watch Charlie gain strength and confidence in herself.
'Charlie Fox is still in England in the first book in the series. Killer Instinct tells her backstory. She's been expelled from Special Forces, suffered public humiliation, and, even worse, suffered from the disbelief of her staid parents. She always was rebellious, but, now, she feels rejected by her parents, and refuses to talk to her mother. Charlie's no longer willing to be a victim, so she teaches self-defense to women at a shelter, hoping they'll move on from being victims.
'Unfortunately, Charlie picks the wrong night to visit the New Adelphi Club with a friend, Clare. There's a fight with a woman, Susie Hollins, who competed at karaoke, and Charlie is forced to defend Clare. Charlie's defense lands her a job as security at the club. Is it the new job, Susie's murder, or a laptop that starts the out-of-control spiral in Charlie's life? Somehow the New Adelphi Club seems linked to everything.
'Charlie Fox has already been through the worst experience of her life. Now, it's time for her to show she can deal with violent men and move on with her life. The instincts that would have helped her had she stayed in Special Forces are crucial to her survival as someone threatens and taunts her. One small fight in a club, one woman's murder, will become a threat to too many others if Charlie doesn't learn who is behind the crime wave that seems to engulf her and those around her.
'I tend to read more mysteries than thrillers, but I always read Zoë Sharp's books. I appreciate Charlie Fox, a woman who has suffered, but rises above her past, willing to fight for survival. And, as you read these books, you realize Charlie always fights for those who are weaker, as she once was. But, she's no longer a victim. Charlie's an unusual character. If you haven't met Charlie Fox, Killer Instinct will introduce you to a woman just learning her own abilities and strength. Zoë Sharp's Charlie Fox is my favorite woman in the thriller genre.'
'Sharp deserves a genre all her own − if you are just discovering Zoë Sharp then you are in for a real treat.'
'When I hear of certain things I get an immediate response, Ice cream: Black Cherry, Peanut Butter: Skippy, Football: Green Bay, favorite soda: Root Beer. Well when I hear Thriller Writers Zoë Sharp is always one of the first names I think of. Why? Because she nails it, action with constant forward movement in the plot and characters who you really believe can kick ass.
'Zoë has had a number of books published here in the US, but her first books were not and now for the first time an American publisher with vision and great taste is releasing them here.
'Killer Instinct introduces Charlie (Charlotte) Fox. Charlie is a woman who thinks on her feet, is deadly with weapons and can really handle herself. Before Charlie evolved into the character she is today she was a woman making a living teaching self defense and was not exactly happy about it. She finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation because she is actually a logical suspect. It’s her wits and skill that will keep her safe and out of jail.
'Sharp is part of a very small group of writers who actually talks the talk and walks the walk. She really knows this stuff and so when she writes it, it feels more real than most non fiction books. Sharp deserves a genre all her own. This book, more than most being published deserves to be in print again and if you are just discovering Zoë Sharp then you are in for a real treat.'
'As action-packed and streamlined as the Suzuki the main character, a self-defense expert, rides. Zoë Sharp has an apt last name. She delivers yet another sleek, sharp thriller.'
'Charlotte (Charlie) Fox is one of the most vivid and engaging heroines ever to swagger onto the pages of a book. Where Charlie goes, thrills follow and in Killer Instinct, Zoë Sharp keeps them coming hard and fast.'
'If you're looking for an author who can deliver high-octane thrills every time and a character who is NOT to be messed with, you've found them. Zoë Sharp and Charlie Fox both kick ass.'
'Charlie Fox is a heroine you can root for, a rare combination of coolness, strength, and heart. Get to know her from the very beginning with this impressive debut. Charlie Fox and Zoë Sharp aren't messing around.'
'Charlotte (Charlie) Fox could give Cotton Malone a run for his money, but I think he'd enjoy every minute of it. Killer Instinct is spicy, smart and entertaining. Zoë Sharp has a gift for place and character, making it seem as familiar as your own backyard. She draws out every emotion in the reader with some stylish prose. Well done.'
'Anyone with a brain wants Charlie Fox for the girl next door. Funny, compassionate, and with moves that can − and do − kill, Charlie is the indelible creation of the remarkable Zoë Sharp. A kick-ass great read, Killer Instinct debuts Charlie in a tale of greed and lust that will keep you riveted from page one.'
Gaye Lynds, author of The Book of Spies
'Charlie Fox is tough, compassionate, and kicks ass to protect others − how could anybody not love her? Zoë Sharp is a master at writing thoughtful action thrillers, and Killer Instinct is no exception. Read it!'
Meg Gardiner, author of The Liar's Lullaby
'The only person more kick-ass than professional bodyguard Charlie Fox is her creator, Zoë Sharp. These books are the best thrillers I've read in a long time, with tension sharp as a razor's edge and the undeniable air of authenticity to the action. If you've been missing Sharp, you've been missing out.'
Russel D McLean, Crime Scene Scotland
'One of the best crime debuts for years.' Janice Young, Yorkshire Post
'You have to kiss an awful lot of frogs before you meet your prince − and the same goes for crime debuts. But sometimes there's a gold nugget in all those hills of wannabe Ruth Rendells, and this is it. It possesses a maturity of style, a confidence and a plot flow which would do credit to far more experienced names. One of the best crime debuts for years.'
'Killer Instinct moves at a cracking pace . . . ' Chris Vaughan, MSL Magazine
'At last, a capable, attractive, self-sufficient strong and believable heroine. Charlie Fox is a girl of our time, and she rides an RGV250. It's crime fiction, set in a slightly seedy seaside town. Charlie's day job is teaching self-defence to women, but she has a shady past which is only gradually revealed as the story develops. A serial killer is stalking the Lancaster area, and when our RGV-riding heroine accepts a job on the previously all-male security team at a local night club she is drawn into a web of deceit and drug dealing, which culminates in a fight for her life.
'Killer Instinct moves at a cracking pace, with well drawn, believable characters and a plot that involves the reader from beginning to end.'
'an exciting . . . entertaining first novel.' Sunday Telegraph
'Zoë Sharp has got the balance just right . . . ' Jayne Bennett, South Wales Argus
'Charlie is a strong leading lady with a love of motorbikes who can hold her own in a male-dominated environment. Which is just as well, given the nature of the crime involved. Killer Instinct is the literary equivalent of a Sunday TV drama − a plot that's easy to get into, not too complicated and yet has you desperate to know what happens next. Zoë Sharp has got the balance just right in this, her debut novel. Let's hope she can keep the standard up.'
'A lively first book from Sharp, written with assurance and panache . . . a pacy read with a fresh and defiant heroine.' Cath Staincliffe, Manchester Evening News
'an exciting crime novel' OK! Magazine
'not only entertaining, but great fun.' Julia Burrows, Nottingham Evening Post
'Zoë Sharp's Killer Instinct introduces feisty heroine Charlie Fox (ex-army), a motorbike enthusiast who teaches self-defence for women in and around Lancaster . . . Charlie's a fighter − and she fights. These fights are brilliantly described. Despite all the violence much of this book is not only entertaining, but great fun.'
'Sharp mixes humour and action . . . ' Luke Croll, Murder & Mayhem Book Club, USA
'Killer Instinct is a very British, home-grown mystery. Sharp mixes humour and action, making Charlie Fox an interesting and appealing protagonist. Her interaction with the other characters works well, and her wry humour will bring a smile to the reader's face. Throughout the novel, Sharp drips information about Fox's past, and she clearly has material for more stories . . . I look forward to reading Sharp's next novel.'
'This is a very polished work . . .' Barbara Franchi, www.ReviewingTheEvidence.com
'This is a very polished work, even though it is a first novel. Charlie's back story is told with a minimum of fuss, we meet her friends, and even her family, and learn what happened to her in the army. I read Riot Act, the second in the series before I read this one, and can truly say that these can be read as stand alones or in any order. Sharp is an author to watch out for.'
'the pace is fast but never lets itself go . . .' Fiona Shoop, Shots Magazine
'Ignore the cover, this book is actually good. Enter Charlie Fox, feisty and able to beat any man at his own game. Or is she? Can the self-defence teacher and club bouncer protect herself or will her curiosity land herself − and those she loves − into deadly danger? With a rapist on the loose, a murder, drugs and fraud, the pace is fast but never lets itself go and Sharp takes the time to create a believable world of trendy clubs and inner city angst as the city tries to rebuild itself but can never escape a past of self-destruction, no matter how glossy its new exterior. This is a well-written book with good characters and a likeable lead in Charlie Fox. Watch out for Zoë Sharp . . .'