Breakers by Doug Johnstone #Review #Giveaway

Today I am happy to be part of the Orenda Blog Tour to celebrate the publication of Doug Johnstone's psychological thriller, Breakers. I will be offering a Giveaway for the book on 28th May - details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.

 

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 Thoughts

This is a marvellous mix of hardbitten crime thriller with all its twists and turns, and some emotive characterisation with emotional, family dynamics. At the heart of the story is a family with dysfunctional members. It is hard to read some of the passages where Bean, the youngest child is there, with the bullying Barry menacing on the sidelines. Her protector, Tyler, tries to care for her despite all the deprivation and chaos that they all live in. It is an affecting story. It is clear that the authorities in the police and at school recognise what a fragile situation the family are in.

    You get to see a gritty side of life in Edinburgh which is such a contrast to Flick's middle class school and home. Tyler and Flick could almost live in different countries. There are hints, however, that not everything in her family is as rosy as you might at first think. Both Flick and Tyler seem like lonely lost souls at times. This is a fast moving and relentless thriller which keeps you on the edge of your seat and concerned for how it will all pan out. 

In short: Jeopardy runs through the novel from start to finish. 

 

About the Author

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.

You can follow Doug here: Twitter   |  Website 

 Book link: Amazon UK 

 Thanks to Doug Johnstone, Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

Don't forget these other great bloggers!

 

 

Giveaway (UK only)

 

 

 

To win a copy of Breakers,  just Follow and Retweet the pinned Tweet at @bookslifethings.( Giveaway opens 28th May 2019)

 Closing Date 31st May 2019 and there is one winner.

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries only.  The winner will be selected at random via Tweetdraw from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.