‘Lie in Wait’ G.J.Minett

Published by Zaffre,
9 March 2017.
ISBN: 978-1-78576-058-7 (PB)

This is not a novel to be read in dribs and drabs, nor when your mind is half on something else. It demands full concentration, given the unusual structure. The narrative points of view and the dates are very clearly provided so it is easy enough to follow, but the read is far more rewarding if your focus is complete, and you ensure you’re always aware of where you are. Very rewarding indeed.

I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book quite like it. The prose is easily assimilated, and the pages turn almost of their own volition.

The main protagonist is Owen, who is on the autism spectrum. He stammers, is obsessed by numbers and sees prime numbers as warnings. He reads numbers everywhere by adding together both the numbers and letters of registration plates and names, all virtually instantly.

He has a companion called Willie who constantly carps and criticises. He loves a woman called Abi and has done so since they were at school together, but she married bully Callum Green, who made Owen’s life an absolute misery then and remains his bête noir now.

Set in the south of England, the novel features police – and crucially, ex-police – who are investigating a murder from some weeks ago. The incidents gradually converge as the chronology goes back to the murder and then forwards again. It’s quite hard to say more about the story without giving too much away, but the way the reader’s feelings are manipulated and the problems this causes for us as we discover more create a fascinating and original read.

Recommended – but do read in solid sittings and make sure you give it all your attention. It’s worth it.
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Reviewer: Dea Parkin

Graham Minett studied Languages at Churchill College, Cambridge before teaching for several years in Gloucestershire and West Sussex. In 2008 he completed a part-time MA in Creative Writing at the University of Chichester and subsequently won both the inaugural Segora short story competition in 2008 and the Chapter One competition in 2010. The latter consisted of the opening sections of what would eventually become his debut novel, The Hidden Legacy. This was followed by Lie In Wait and Anything For Her and his fourth novel, The Syndicate, is scheduled for publication in July 2020. Now writing full-time, he is published by Bonnier Zaffre and represented by Lisa Moylett of Coombs Moylett Maclean Literary Agency. He lives in West Sussex with his wife and children.

https://gjminett.com/

Dea Parkin is an editor with her consultancy Fiction Feedback and is also Secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association. She writes poetry and occasionally re-engages with The Novel. When she isn't editing, managing or writing she is usually to be found on the tennis court – or following the international tour at home on TV. Usually with several books on the go, she entertains a penchant for crime fiction, history, and novels with a mystical edge. She is engaged in a continual struggle to find space for bookshelves and time for her friends and her cat.

‘It’s All About Teddy’ by Lee Darkin-Miller

Published by The Book Guild,
28 March 2022.
ISBN: 978-1-914471-37-7

The hapless, First Person narrator of the story is unnamed until he is given the nickname T.C. after a spirited rendition of the television theme song from Top Cat. The story opens with T.C. seated in a flat, watching television, eating egg noodles and popping pills that he describes as ‘extra body nutrients’, prescribed by his doctor for his bad back, although it is immediately evident that the pills are something far more mood enhancing and addictive than vitamins. While sitting there, T.C. ponders the mysterious disappearance of the body that had been lying on the floor of the flat for the last two days. The body is that of Teddy and it transpires that T.C. accidentally killed him using that most lethal of implements, a fork. A note pushed under the door is addressed to ‘Teddy’ but naturally T.C. reads it: it invites Teddy to a pub called The Broken Barnacle at nine that night, it also provides a code phrase.

T.C. keeps the appointment and uses the code and finds himself taking part in an orchestrated riot in which the vandalism is a cover for organised looting. T.C. finds himself partnered with what he at first thinks is a rather puny man but later discovers that he is accompanying a beautiful blonde girl called Anemone. When looting a jeweller’s shop turns dangerous, T.C. saves Anemone’s life, at great risk to his own, which, as far as Anemone is concerned, confirms his credentials as part of the group. He is invited to meet her the following evening at another pub and then he is asked to visit her at the place she lives, the lodge. T.C. is prevented from keeping this appointment because he is viciously beaten up soon after leaving Anemone, but that does not deter him from his self-appointed mission.

T.C. has one purpose behind all his actions, he is desperate to find and recover the person who is dearest to him, the girl he calls his ‘green-eyed angel.’ This quest leads him into a variety of squalid locations in company with some bizarre, foul-mouthed and potentially violent characters, until he falls foul of Dexter, one of the most dangerous criminals in town. One thing is certain, however great the peril, T.C. will not give up until his ‘green-eyed angel is restored to him.

It’s All About Teddy is the debut novel by this author. It is an unusual novel, filled with off-beat action, zany humour, set in some remarkably sordid situations, with characters who use some inventive and potentially offensive language. T.C. is not an initially engaging protagonist but he becomes more likeable as the story progresses and, by the end of the book, the reader is on his side and wishes him to succeed in finding his ‘green-eyed angel’.

It’s All About Teddy is an enjoyable read for anyone who likes unusual characters and dark humour set within a complex and unpredictable plot.
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Reviewer:  Carol Westron

Lee Darkin-Miller is published writer, an award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work appears in film, TV & video games. His personal musical projects can be found on all major streaming platforms & online stores. ‘It’s All About Teddy’ is Lee’s debut novel, but he has also had some short fiction published too. A historical comic novel is currently in the works. For more information, please visit: www.leedarkinmiller.co.uk --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Carol Westron is a successful author and a Creative Writing teacher.  Her crime novels are set both in contemporary and Victorian times.  Her first book The Terminal Velocity of Cats was published in 2013. Since then, she has since written 6 further mysteries. Carol recently gave an interview to Mystery People. To read the interview click on the link below. 

https://promotingcrime.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/carol-westron.html www.carolwestron.com
http://carolwestron.blogspot.co.uk/

To read a review of Carol latest book
The Curse of the Concrete Griffin
click on the title

‘A Good Day To Die’ by Amen Alonge

Published by Quercus,
17 February 2022.
ISBN: 978-1-52941518-6 (HB)

Ten years ago a young black man we only know as “Pretty Boy”, an expert in valuing jewellery (and stealing it) had to leave the London scene. It has played on his mind ever since and he is now determined to return and take revenge on the person responsible for his inevitable exit.

We learn slowly that the man involved became jealous of Pretty Boy and became a grass.

As the story progresses, at one point we are told a little of Pretty Boy’s childhood. It makes harrowing reading – his mother was a prostitute run by her pimp who was also her boyfriend and supplied her with the drugs he kept her on. He was also violent. Pretty Boy had to fend for himself which then led him to a life of crime.

From time to time we go back and learn about the events ten years ago when he was nineteen. Laid bare are the facts about drug dealing and prostitution and the lengths the people involved will go to, to keep ahead of rivals.

As we follow Pretty Boy’s dangerous path towards revenge it becomes apparent that he cannot achieve it without more than one person being “disposed of”. Things take an even more violent turn when he is given a bracelet worth a fortune, in part payment of a job.

Unknown to him, it was stolen from the wife of a Michael Downing, a really nasty character, now a counsellor. He will stop at nothing to get the bracelet back. Now Pretty Boy himself is being hunted down, causing more deaths in the criminal world. Will he be one of them?

Oh! my goodness, how is it possible for a story so full of extreme murder and mayhem to be written in such a way that it is full of humour? It could be that the characters “disposed of” are all of the violent criminal fraternity, sort of a rough justice!  Once I became used to the excessive use of crude, very strong language, I really enjoyed this book, much to my surprise.

Thoroughly recommended for readers not easily offended by bad langyage.
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Reviewer: Tricia Chappell

Amen Alonge was born in Lagos and moved to London as a teenager almost twenty years ago. Since then, he says he has enjoyed so many wonderful life experiences that have led me to this moment. ‘I'm an author, a lawyer, a husband, and a father... and I love every moment’.

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.