Today we are a Blog Tour stop for The new tense, deeply moving psychological thriller from the bestselling McIlvanney Prize finalist Doug Johnstone.
#Breakers @orendaBooks @doug_johnstone
"There are two sides to every family"
Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Tyler lives in one of Edinburgh’s most deprived areas.
Whilst trying to care for his little sister and his drug-addicted mother, he’s also coerced into robbing rich people’s homes by his bullying older siblings.
One night whilst on a job, his brother Barry stabs a homeowner and leaves her for dead. And that ’s just the beginning of their nightmare, because they soon discover the woman is the wife of Edinburgh’s biggest crime lord, Deke Holt.
With the police and the Holts closing in, and his shattered family in terrible danger, Tyler is running out of options, until he meets posh girl Flick in another stranger ’s house.
Could she be his salvation? Or will he end up dragging her down with him?
My Review
This novel is the first of Doug Johnson's that i have read and just wow wow wow i cannot wait to read his others. This is an amazingly intense story and so well written it drew me in so much I finished in 2 sittings and when I was not reading it i was thinking about it!
The story follows a family in Edinburgh whose mother is an alcoholic drug addict. The main character is a young man, Tyler Wallace who quite clearly does not want to be involved in his older siblings life of crime and drugs but is bullied into it.
Tyler just wants to protect his younger sister from the life he and his sibling have. He wants the best for her but In the course of their life of crime the family, break into the 'wrong' house and their lives become embroiled in danger with a thrilling mix of family, Edinburgh gangster/boss types and of course the police.
While all this happens Tyler meets a girl who shows him a life outside the chaos he is currently mixed in, but can this ever work, can they both survive?
A real gritty insight in to Edinburgh and the huge differences between the rich and poor and what they have and others don't, i found this book is one that stays with you long after the ending.
If your wanting a fast paced read then look no further than this dark and brilliant thriller, this is your next book hangover waiting to happen!
Author Bio
Doug Johnstone is an author, journalist and musician based in Edinburgh. He’s had nine novels published, most recently Fault Lines. His previous novel, The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year.
Several of his other novels have been award winners and bestsellers, and he’s had short stories published in numerous anthologies and literary magazines.
His work has been praised by the likes of Ian Rankin, Val McDermid and Irvine Welsh. Several of his novels have been optioned for film and television.
Doug is also a Royal Literary Fund Consultant Fellow. He’s worked as an RLF Fellow at Queen Margaret University, taught creative writing at Strathclyde University and William Purves Funeral Directors. He mentors and assesses manuscripts for The Literary Consultancy and regularly tutors at Moniack Mhor writing retreat.
Doug has released seven albums in various bands, and is drummer, vocalist and occasional guitarist for the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers, a band of crime writers. He also reviews books for The Big Issue magazine, is player-manager for Scotland Writers Football Club and has a PhD in nuclear physics.
Purchase Links
Published 16th May 2019
Orenda Books
Social media Links
www.orendabooks.co.uk
@OrendaBooks
Publisher
Orenda Books is a small independent publishing company specialising in literary fiction with a heavy emphasis on crime/thrillers, and approximately half the list in translation. They’ve been twice shortlisted for the Nick Robinson Best Newcomer Award at the IPG awards, and publisher and owner Karen Sullivan was a Bookseller Rising Star in 2016.
In 2018, they were awarded a prestigious Creative Europe grant for their translated books programme. Three authors, including Agnes Ravatn, Matt Wesolowski and Amanda Jennings have been WHSmith Fresh Talent picks, and Ravatn’s The Bird Tribunal was shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award, won an English PEN Translation Award, and adapted for BBC Radio Four ’s Book at Bedtime. Six titles have been shortor long-listed for the CWA Daggers.
Launched in 2014 with a mission to bring more international literature to the UK market, Orenda Books publishes a host of debuts, many of which have gone on to sell millions worldwide, and looks for fresh, exciting new voices that push the genre in new directions. Bestselling authors include Ragnar Jonasson, Antti Tuomainen, Gunnar Staalesen, Michael J. Malone, Kjell Ola Dahl, Louise Beech, Johana Gustawsson, Lilja Sigurðardóttir and Sarah Stovell.
www.orendabooks.co.uk
@OrendaBooks
Thank you to the Publisher and Author for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel and for the opportunity to review these works.
All reviews are my own unbiased opinion.