This is witty, smart, cleverly structured and, like the master's finest films, hooks the reader from the opening moments and never lets go. Dial M for Marvelous. * STARBURST MAGAZINE *
A time-travelling nerd applies Kant with lethal results in this dazzling philosophical adventure...this is really walking the literary high wire, and Roberts not only keeps his balance, he makes the spectacle compelling * The Guardian *
The kind of elegantly playful fun at which Roberts, almost routinely it seems, excels. * SFX MAGAZINE *
using lit-fic techniques and by not playing by the genre rules, [Roberts] rises to the challenge that Mitchell sets down * SFX *
The Real-Town Murders is thoughful, clever and effortless fiction that successfully blends hardboiled noir with near-future scifi to create a rich, rewarding story. Highly recommended. * SF BOOK *
The Thing Itself is evidence of Adam Roberts' inimitable brilliance. * Tor.com *
A gleeful homage to future noir. * SCIFINOW *
Gripping and ingenious. * CRIME TIME *
I do appreciate a novel that makes me think while also entertaining me. The Thing Itself marries the two to perfection. There is so much packed within these pages and, without doubt, it's one of those memorable novels that will stand to repeated readings over the passing of time. A book of the year for me, for sure. * For Winter's Nights *
The sort of chase thriller that Hitchcock used to film. * MORNING STAR *
Personally, I found it deeply fascinating...The closest reference point for me was Philip K. Dick's VALIS trilogy which fits in the same general literary area but "The Thing Itself" is definitely much more fun. * Upcoming 4 Me *
As ever, Roberts's use of the genre to explicate ideas - the allure of virtual reality and the consequent aff ectless society - is done with grace and economy, and what might have been a grim read is leavened by moments of irreverent black humour. * GUARDIAN *
An antic collision of Agatha Christie and British science fiction anthology series Black Mirror... Smart, deliciously witty and immensely engaging, it is Roberts at his playful best. * James Bradley, author of Clade *
