Running with the Reservoir Pups

Eddie and the Gang with No Name #1

by Colin Bateman

Eddie has a bad habit of being in the wrong place at the wrong time - otherwise he never would have gotten mixed up with the Reservoir Pups, the scrappy gang of boys who rule the streets in his new town. And he definitely wouldn't have agreed to their initiation to break into the hospital his mom works at. It's just Eddie's luck that he quickly stumbles upon a kidnapping plan that Scuttles, head of hospital security and (gross) his mom's new boyfriend, seems to have masterminded. Now Eddie is on the trail of some twisted baby-snatchers - a scam so big, even the Reservoir Pups want no part of it. And just when it seems as if life can't get any worse, he bumps into the leader of the Andytown Albinos, the most fearsome gang of all.. Fasten your seat belts for this action-packed, outrageous comic caper, in which no one is exactly what they seem.

Genres: Humor, Childrens, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 11, 2005

About the author

Colin Bateman was a journalist in Northern Ireland before becoming a full-time writer. His first novel, Divorcing Jack, won the Betty Trask Prize, and all his novels have been critically acclaimed. He wrote the screenplays for the feature films of Divorcing Jack, Crossmaheart and Wild About Harry. He lives in Northern Ireland with his family.

Reviews

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

oh dear, I cannot believe Bateman has written a book I dont love, I know its not an adult book, and I am willing to factor that in... BUT...

it started so well, but I did think that killing 12 babies just to look younger was a tad over the top for kids book.... THEN the forgotten children came along, and that just felt wrong, in fact felt like it should have been a whole other sci-fi book,,
the characters of Eddie and Albino kid would prob work well in other stories, just not for me this time (sorry Bateman).

[Sharon Falduto · Rating 2 out of 5]

A YA novel of increasingly improbable events, but a fun ride, fast paced. Apparently the first of a trilogy but only the first two were released in the United States (it's set in Ireland) because of the drug related content of the 3rd one. And knowing that I can't have it makes me want to read it more!

*2019 note: I have no memory of this book

[Maria Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

Read this book 8 times. And probably will continue to read it forever. I read it to my husband and he liked it as well

[Tim Carson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of Colin Bateman's darkly comic, adult crime fiction should try introducing their (older) children to the author via his series of novels featuring Eddie Malone.

Running With The Reservoir Pups (published in the UK as just Reservoir Pups) is the first of three novels to feature Eddie and introduces us to him and his family. Or more acurately his mum because Eddie's dad was killed by dragons or was it aliens - or at least he was according to Eddie. Unsurprisingly Eddie's dad wasn't really killed by dragons and, in fact, isn't actually dead (just divorved) but the novel creates the possibility that such things could actually happen in this wild and fast-paced adventure.

Bateman packs the novel with his trademark humour and over-the-top set-pieces although this time they are toned down to suit a younger audience. Eddie gets involved with a gang of kids known as the Reservoir Pups, who are the scourge of the Belfast hospital where his mum has found herself a new job. Eddie is soon up to his neck in trouble (and not just with his mum) as he uncovers a plot to kidnap babies from the hospital.

Before long he's on the trail of the kidnappers and their unlikely ringleader. Most of the plot is lots of fun but towards the end it becomes a little bit too ridiculous and far-fetched which ruins an otherwise entertaining novel. Eddie is a well-defined character and is easy to identify with and the story should suit year 6 or slightly older children well.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eddie's parents have split up and his mother has moved him into the city--where it isn't hard for him to find trouble. Eddie gets mixed up with the Reservoir Pups, one of the gangs of boys in his new town who give him an initiation mission to break into the hospital where Eddie's mom works to steal the security codes. Although it doesn't quite go as planned, Eddie learns of a sinister kidnapping plan which sends him on an adventure of twists and turns, where no one is quite who they seem to be.

Good for kids who like a bit of comedy mixed with their adventure; deals with divorce

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it! Started stronger than it finished, I thought...The Forgotten children part was a little weird/weak....at first thought it was going to be along the lines of Geek Love, there, for a minute, (favorite book in my 20s) but then it sputtered right there. And the villian? Perfect. The mom, a bit sketchy (incomplete, not shady). Will see if 12yo son will go for it-- not quite as exciting as Alex Rider, but then that's why I like it.

[Virginia Brace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely entertaining and I would read the next crazy adventure too. They kid is only trying to do the right thing and he keeps getting into trouble. Isn't that what every boy thinks is the story of his life?

[Lauren Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best book in the world!

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book!! Aimed maybe towards 9-10 year olds

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot until I reached the reveal at the end and it got a bit silly but it did manage to revive itself and finish on a normal note. An all round good read.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

HORRIBLE

[Megan ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't particularly enjoy this book but there wasn't anything bad about it, as such.