Shuggie Boyle is a changed man. Which is why, after serving four years for armed robbery, he's skipped his licence and jacked a pensioner's car. His destination is the small Scottish town of California, where his ex-girlfriend is holding his cut, and where his new-found calm will be put to the test.
CALIFORNIA - previously published by Crime Express, now in a new e-dition.
Praise for CALIFORNIA:
"I’d say he’s the most consistently ”realistic” writer in the genre working, his stories the most organic, his characters and their motivations the most recognizable. Banks’ new novella, California, displays these rare qualities proudly and brightly in just under a hundred pages." - Spinetingler Magazine
"Clocking in at fewer than 100 pages, the mighty punch delivered by this dark, quirky novella proves that sometimes the best things really do come in small packages." - The Daily Record
"There's something about this extremely well written novella by Ray Banks which is reminiscent of a thoroughly reduced sauce. The quantity might be less, but the intensity of the flavour and the effect on the palate is enhanced. Shuggie's efforts to turn round his life make gripping reading, and when you put the book down for the final time you emerge with a sense of relief that it is only fiction: until a glimpse of the news confirms there are plenty of real Shuggies out there..." - Undiscovered Scotland
Praise for RAY BANKS:
"Banks is one of the freshest voices in hard-boiled crime fiction today." - Library Journal
"Ray Banks writes with harshness, humour and elegance, and his punchy dialogue teems with vigorous authenticity." - The Times
"Banks has an ear for the vernacular as sharp as, but a shade or two bluer than, that of George V. Higgins. Let the squeamish stick with Tony Soprano; this is the real tough stuff." - Kirkus
"Quick, sharp and emotionally raw, reading Banks is like a dinner of blowfish with a sociopathic chef serving up a slice of death on a plate. One bad cut and it could all go wrong, but when it's served with skill, it's an adrenaline rush." _ Crimespree Magazine
"Lots of neo-noir's young tyros can punch -- and Banks can punch as hard as the best of them -- but he also has the heart and soul to back it up." - January Magazine
"For those bored with the traditional approach of crime and mystery series - who know that there is more to be found in the big, bad world of crime fiction - Banks is the man. His books are smart, unpredictable and, above all, dangerous." - Crime Scene Scotland
"For my money one of the top crime writers currently operating in Britain." - Martyn Waites
About the author:
Ray Banks is the author of the Cal Innes Quartet (SATURDAY'S CHILD, DONKEY PUNCH, NO MORE HEROES, BEAST OF BURDEN), the e-only novel DEAD MONEY and the novellas, GUN and CALIFORNIA. He lives in Edinburgh.
CALIFORNIA - previously published by Crime Express, now in a new e-dition.
Praise for CALIFORNIA:
"I’d say he’s the most consistently ”realistic” writer in the genre working, his stories the most organic, his characters and their motivations the most recognizable. Banks’ new novella, California, displays these rare qualities proudly and brightly in just under a hundred pages." - Spinetingler Magazine
"Clocking in at fewer than 100 pages, the mighty punch delivered by this dark, quirky novella proves that sometimes the best things really do come in small packages." - The Daily Record
"There's something about this extremely well written novella by Ray Banks which is reminiscent of a thoroughly reduced sauce. The quantity might be less, but the intensity of the flavour and the effect on the palate is enhanced. Shuggie's efforts to turn round his life make gripping reading, and when you put the book down for the final time you emerge with a sense of relief that it is only fiction: until a glimpse of the news confirms there are plenty of real Shuggies out there..." - Undiscovered Scotland
Praise for RAY BANKS:
"Banks is one of the freshest voices in hard-boiled crime fiction today." - Library Journal
"Ray Banks writes with harshness, humour and elegance, and his punchy dialogue teems with vigorous authenticity." - The Times
"Banks has an ear for the vernacular as sharp as, but a shade or two bluer than, that of George V. Higgins. Let the squeamish stick with Tony Soprano; this is the real tough stuff." - Kirkus
"Quick, sharp and emotionally raw, reading Banks is like a dinner of blowfish with a sociopathic chef serving up a slice of death on a plate. One bad cut and it could all go wrong, but when it's served with skill, it's an adrenaline rush." _ Crimespree Magazine
"Lots of neo-noir's young tyros can punch -- and Banks can punch as hard as the best of them -- but he also has the heart and soul to back it up." - January Magazine
"For those bored with the traditional approach of crime and mystery series - who know that there is more to be found in the big, bad world of crime fiction - Banks is the man. His books are smart, unpredictable and, above all, dangerous." - Crime Scene Scotland
"For my money one of the top crime writers currently operating in Britain." - Martyn Waites
About the author:
Ray Banks is the author of the Cal Innes Quartet (SATURDAY'S CHILD, DONKEY PUNCH, NO MORE HEROES, BEAST OF BURDEN), the e-only novel DEAD MONEY and the novellas, GUN and CALIFORNIA. He lives in Edinburgh.
