truecrime

Description

It's thirty years since Harry Starks and his gang kept the underworld of Soho under control but the consequences of their brutal reign are still being felt. Julie McCluskey, the actress daughter of one of Starks' victims, has grown up without a father and now that she's discovered it was money from her father's murderers that put her through drama school, she's furious. Furious with her mother for accepting it, but even more furious with Harry Starks - and she's decided she wants revenge. Tony Meehan, journalist and part-time murderer ('I've only killed three') has added another occupation to his list: he's ghostwriting the autobiography of one of the Bullion Job (Brinks Mat) gang, a robbery in which Starks was also involved, and the gold's still missing. And then there's Gaz, who worked for Starks' rival Beardsley in the 80s and is now running bouncers, taking too many drugs, and playing a very dangerous game. Moving his focus on to the greedy 80s and the rave scene of the 90s, Arnott delivers another hard-edged, riveting, brilliant novel that will delight his many admirers and win him more.

Jake Arnott was born in Buckinghamshire in 1961. He has worked as a labourer, a mortuary technician, a theatrical agent's assistant, an artist's life model and a sign language interpreter as well as enjoying many fruitful periods of unemployment. His acting experience has included work on the Fringe in London, Edinburgh and Toronto as well as improvised comedy.

'A rollercoaster journey through a landscape most honest, decent people wouldn't know existed ... sparklingly witty, immensely profound ... it should be read as a matter of urgency' -- Erwin James, Guardian on TRUECRIME 'The most expansive, ironical and funny novel of the series' -- David Isaacson, Daily Telegraph on TRUECRIME 'The popularity of Arnott's work rests on his fluent, readable style and strong storytelling. While challenging the hype surrounding the genre, he avoids hypocrisy by stopping just short of glamorising his subject matter.' -- New Statesman 'Arnott delivers a beacon-bright satire ... a literary triumph' -- Metro on TRUECRIME 'Arnott's satire is right on the money' -- Observer on TRUECRIME 'Arnott's clever, style-conscious book is brutally authentic, yet at the same time ironically "knowing", with an almost satirical attitude to gangster entertainment and the cult of criminal celebrity. Its total readability consolidates his status as a blue-chip crime writer'. -- Sunday Times 20040704 'Arnott has a sharp sense of humour and a real concern for the consequences of crime on his characters and society.' -- Daily Telegraph 20040704 'Arnott is both witty and gritty.' -- Telegraph 20040703