Actor Hugh Laurie was so concerned about the reputation tagged onto celebrity authors that he originally submitted The Gun Seller for publication under a pseudonym. The universal acclaim the book received upon release, however, tempted the man better known as Dr. Gregory House out of his shell. The narrative arc is deliciously noir: retired army veteran Thomas Lang wiles away his days in whiskey and reminiscence until, cash-strapped and desperate, he agrees to commit an assassination. The twists and turns are numerous, the suspense incredible and the writing every bit as rich and witty as you'd expect. Not only a great celebrity novel but a great novel in any context, it's a must read for book enthusiasts. Follow-up The Paper Soldier, meanwhile, has been seven years in the writing and, although it still doesn't have an official release date set, finally looks like arriving in 2017.
