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Ray Banks

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Saturday's Child (Cal Innes) Hardcover – January 7, 2008

by Ray Banks (Author)

3.7 53 ratings

Book 1 of 4: Cal Innes

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Cal Innes is fresh out of prison and ducking a past muddied with ties to local gang lord "Uncle" Morris Tiernan. But when Tiernan finds out Innes is working as an unlicensed PI and calls in a favor Innes doesn’t owe, Innes is thrust into a cat-and-mouse game with Tiernan’s psychotic son, Mo. Ordered to track down a rogue casino dealer who’s absconded with a hefty chunk of cash, Innes finds that the case points north to Newcastle. With Tiernan’s son on his tail and a Manchester cop determined to put Innes back in jail, Saturday’s child has to work hard to keep living.

Book 1 of 4

Cal Innes
Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publication date

January 7, 2008
Dimensions

6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

0151013225
ISBN-13

978-0151013227
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

British author Banks fulfills the promise of 2000's The Big Blind with this tough and assured crime novel. Callum Innes, recently released from prison, works as an unlicensed PI in Manchester, England. His brother, Declan, has gone home to Edinburgh to kick his heroin habit, and Innes is determined to stay straight this time as well. Morris Tiernan, local crime boss and Innes's former employer, however, insists that he complete one final job: tracking down the blackjack dealer who has disappeared with Tiernan's 16-year-old daughter, Alison, and a sizable chunk of his money. Complicating matters is Tiernan's son, Morris Junior (or Mo), a psychotic speed freak, who vows to overthrow his father's underworld reign. Mo despises Innes, envies the respect his father gives him and decides to show them both what he's really capable of. The results, inevitably, are both comically inept and violent. Some American readers may struggle a bit with Tiernan's street dialect, but like Ken Bruen and Allan Guthrie, Banks is updating the noir novel with an utterly original sensibility. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

UK PRAISE FOR SATURDAY’S CHILD

"Ray Banks steps up into the majors. This is already the best UK novel of the year and I’d love to read what tops it."―Ken Bruen, Shamus Award–winning author of The Guards

"Banks is part of the post-Rankin generation for whom hardboiled is not just a state of mind but a reality. Tough-guy colloquial prose and a pace fast enough to skin a rabbit, at the service of a tale of down-and-dirty realism: this is fiery stuff."―The Guardian (London)

From the Inside Flap

"Fast, funny, and hard as nails, Saturdays Child proves to America what the UK already knows: Theres a heart in the darkness of todays finest crime fiction, and Ray Banks will take you there. Buckle up."?Sean Doolittle, author of the Barry-winning The Cleanup

"Ray Bankss writing is a dark delight, and Saturdays Child is like blunt surgery from a cricket bat. Fast, hard, packed with madcap violence and twisted humor, its a bone-jarring ride through Englands bleak underbelly . . . I cant recommend this one enough."?Patrick Quinlin, author of The Takedown

Cal Innes is fresh out of prison and ducking a past muddied with ties to local gang lord "Uncle" Morris Tiernan. But when Tiernan finds out Innes is working as an unlicensed PI and calls in a favor Innes doesnt owe, Innes is thrust into a cat-and-mouse game with Tiernans psychotic son, Mo. Ordered to track down a rogue casino dealer whos absconded with a hefty chunk of cash, Innes finds that the case points north to Newcastle. With Tiernans son on his tail and a Manchester cop determined to put Innes back in jail, Saturdays child has to work hard to keep living.

From the Back Cover

"A knock-out, written with the kind of energy and passion that far too few writers can muster. Fresh and fierce, Saturdays Child raises the bar for hardboiled fiction."?Laura Lippman, author of New York Times bestseller What the Dead Know

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR SATURDAYS CHILD

"Saturday's Child is fascinating, fresh, and darkly funny."?Thomas Perry, bestselling author of Silence

"One of the finest P.I. novels of the year . . . The future of U.K. detective fiction is Ray Banks."?Jason Starr, author of The Follower

"A savage hardboiled spanking, Saturdays Child will leave you begging for more."?Victor Gischler, author of Shotgun Opera

"Banks takes the Brit noir thriller format and gives it a damn good and much deserved kicking."?Martyn Waites, author of The Mercy Seat

"Ray Banks steps up into the majors . . . Id love to read what tops this."?Ken Bruen, Shamus-winning author of The Guards

"Banks mixes sharp humor with crackling dialogue in a wild ride across the pond. Saturdays Child is a page turner, start to finish."?Charlie Stella, author of Mafiya: A Novel of Crime

About the Author

Ray Banks has been a double-glazing salesman, a croupier, a dole monkey, and a disgruntled temp. The author of The Big Blind, Saturday’s Child, Sucker Punch, and No More Heroes, he was born in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, and now lives in Edinburgh.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; First Edition (January 7, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0151013225
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0151013227
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #8,106,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #22,396 in Hard-Boiled Mystery
- #95,133 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #163,877 in Crime Thrillers (Books)

Customer Reviews:
3.7 53 ratings

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Ray Banks

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Ray Banks has worked as a wedding singer, double-glazing salesman, croupier, dole monkey, and various degrees of disgruntled temp. He currently lives in Edinburgh, Scotland and online at www.thesaturdayboy.com.

"Ray Banks writes with harshness, humour and elegance, and his punchy dialogue teems with vigorous authenticity." - The Times

"Banks is updating the noir novel with an utterly original sensibility." - Publisher's Weekly

"Ray Banks offers us a glimpse of what Samuel Beckett might have read like had he turned his hand to crime fiction." - Crime Always Pays

"Banks is part of the post-Rankin generation for whom hardboiled is not just a state of mind but a reality. Tough-guy colloquial prose and a pace fast enough to skin a rabbit, at the service of a tale of down-and-dirty realism: this is fiery stuff." - The Guardian

"...terrific, brooding and chilling prose" - The Scotsman

"...a fine example of energetic, visceral and compelling storytelling... This is properly thrilling stuff." - The Big Issue In Scotland

Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5

53 global ratings

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Spadger

Wonderful - if you love Ken Bruen and Derek Raymond then your in for a real treat !

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2014

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Incredible "crime noir". So glad I stumbled across this author via a hint from a Ken Bruen novel. Ken Bruen has turned me on to so many great writers by using and attributing a few one liners in his own novels. That was how I discovered this author and also Derek Raymond. Raymond's "The Factory" series novels are mind blowing. "Saturday's Child" - now here's a real winner. Ray Banks has a unique style and brought his characters right into my front room, smack in my lap. I just read his first Cal Innes book and I could not put it down, pulled an all nighter, well almost. Ray Banks is the real thing and in my estimation right up there with Bruen and Raymond. If you love "crime noir" this book is for you. Wonderful stuff. To me "crime noir" is basically real life This stuff happens and these characters live. I was born in the East end of London and I grew up there in the 60's knowing some of these characters, rubbing shoulders with them in pubs down the "Old Kent Road" and around East Ham and New Cross. I only knew them well enough to say "alright mate" but believe me that's all you'd want to say, offer a pint and then stay well clear. Derek Raymond's novels are set in London as are some of Ken Bruen's except of course for The "Jack Taylor" series. Ray Banks first Cal Innes book takes place in Manchester and Newcastle, parts of which are the armpits of Northern England. During the 60's I played in a number of what were then called "Soul Bands" and we played many gigs at Northern Working Mens' clubs and believe me Ray's characters lived and breathed there and still do, although Working Mens' Clubs are almost a thing of the past these characters still walk the streets. Saturday's Child" is a ten star read, worth every cent. Ray Banks took me on one hell of a ride. Just need to get my breath back before starting book number two.

Helpful

Like a movie Guy Ritchie would have made before he forgot how

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2014

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When a mobster hires unlicensed PI Cal Innes to find a dealer (casino, not drug) that took off with his money, Innes quickly finds himself in over his head. Further complicating things are Mo Tiernan, the mobster's psychotic son, who thinks he should have been given the assignment. And why is the elder Tiernan really so keen on getting his hands on the dealer?

This book fell into my lap for two reasons: 1) None other than Johnny Shaw vouched for it and 2) It was free on the Kindle. Fortunately, it was one of those freebies that I would have gladly spent money on.

Saturday's Child is like a movie Jason Statham would have been in before he starting exclusively making substandard action movies. The lead, Callum Innes, is a damaged goods drunk detective in the mold of George Pelecanos' Nick Stefanos or Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder.

The case looks simple a the outset but quickly proves to be much more complex. Turns out Rob Stokes took a lot more from Morris Tiernan. Further complicating things is the younger Tiernan, Mo, a drugged out psychopath. It's all Cal can do to keep from getting killed in a whirlwind of booze and violence.

The setting, Manchester and Newcastle, set it apart from a lot of other crime books, though I could see all the British slang and dialect turning off some readers. Like the aforementioned Nick Stefanos, the case is almost secondary with the problems and history of Cal Innes taking center stage. Cal pretty much makes the dog's breakfast of the case and takes several beatings. The hard violence is tempered with Cal's black brand of humor, making for quite an enjoyable read.

That's about all I have to say. If you're into English gangsters, this is the book for you. And it's free. Four out of five stars.

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014

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Lots of violence and filthy language. A down on his luck PI sinks lower to stay out of jail. Nothing makes sense as everyone has his own agenda. There are no heroes and justice is just another word.

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Tillienedeau

Blood, gore

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2017

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Private Inspector Innes is not good at his job. Reading this was like watching an old gangster movie. Everyone just punches, hits and runs. Ugh!

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2014

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Unfortunately another book I read a while ago that I don't remember. I do look for other books that are either Edinburgh based, I.e. Ian Rankin, and all the writers on Blasted Heathens.

Since spending 2 weeks in Edinburgh a while back as a visiting health provider ( exchange program betwn US and Scotland), I've love all things Scotland, including Haggis! Yes, I know what's in it, and ate it in more pubs than I care to count! First tried it at Hadrian's, then I was off to the races. Every pub we went into, I was looking for it. Unfortunately, it's illegal to sell it in the USA! We can smoke pot in some states, not mine, but no one can have haggis!!

'Bloody unfair I say'!

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Greg T

Good novel, but buy the Omnibus Edition to get 4 novels in 1

Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2014

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After reading "Gun" (a short story), I wasn't sure whether I would enjoy Saturday's Child even though it was recommended by a good friend. I'm glad I bought the novel. While Cal and many of the main characters in the novel seem to be honestly portrayed, I did feel that Mo and Donkey were a bit stereotypical. Plot-wise, the twists and turns were what one would expect from a well-written noir thriller, but I was frustrated by Cal's naivete'. At times I felt Cal was a complete idiot and clearly out of his depth. I'm surprised he survived the novel.

I've traveled through England, but never to Manchester. I always pictured Manchester as the home of Robert Shaw, Ernest Rutherford and Brian Cox (and Manchester United, of course). Banks exposes us to the underbelly of the city...not necessarily a pleasant experience. I did enjoy the references to the homegrown bands and musicians, however.

All in all, a worthwhile read. I've bought the Omnibus edition though I don't see how Cal can survive many more assignments.

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Top reviews from other countries

Dwayne McIntosh

Real Grit

Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2021

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Noir fans who haven't read Banks, should correct that immediately.

Carrie Marshall

As sharp as a Stanley blade

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2011

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This is a very British crime novel - gritty rather than glamorous, set in a world of council flats, rough pubs and grubby casinos where the weapons of choice are fists and Stanley knives and the drugs are pills and speed. It's bloody, brilliant stuff with characters who leap from the page, usually with something sharp in their hands. Cal Innes is fascinating, a man who tries to do the right thing but can't help pressing the self-destruct button again and again and again, and in Saturday's Child he stumbles into a situation that turns out to be considerably worse than he could have imagined. If you like your crime novels hard-boiled you'll devour this in a single sitting - and you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout.

One person found this helpful

Rob Kitchin

gritty, urban, British noir

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2012

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Saturday's Child is a gritty view of the Northern underclass; hard men prowling the streets getting into scrapes and dodgy deals, making ends meet with menaces, and the other folk who survive amongst them. Banks does a credible job of portraying post-prison life and the world of inner city Manchester. Innes and Mo Tiernan are well penned characters, and the others are mostly more than stock support figures. In the main the story is well plotted and told. Banks has a keen observational eye and a nice turn of phrase, and the dialogue and scenes are nicely constructed. The tactic of having two first person narratives was a little jarring at first but worked well overall. Where the story started to unravel a little was in the second half. The relationship with Donna was under-developed and felt like a weak, convenient plot device that served a particular purpose, but went nowhere. And the ended felt limp and partial, with at least one major thread left hanging. I don't mind open endings, but this felt forgotten as opposed to open. Overall, an enjoyable slice of modern day, gritty, urban, British noir.

One person found this helpful

Maria

Gritty and realistic.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2014

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A far grittier book than I normally read. Banks sets his tale in the grim housing estates, pubs and clubs of Manchester and Newcastle. Cal Innes is an ex-con trying to go straight but gets pulled into the murky world of gangs and drugs.
I thought it very effective how Banks used a different style of writing for Mo and Cal. The language, attitude and violence was realistic. This is not sugar coated Northern Britain. Bank achieves an excellent sense of setting.
On the down side, I struggled to feel sympathy for the characters and didn't feel the story went anywhere.

One person found this helpful

Amazon Customer

Drinking and fighting and a mysterious title change

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2014

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This is a review for a book I read called 'Saturday's Child' (see cover and title page).
Lowlife in Manchester. Drinking,swearing, fighting. Then some more drinking and fighting. Reading this is a bit like sitting in a sticky floored pub - you'll feel like you need a good bath afterwards.
However, since I wrote that review book seems to have been mysteriously renamed 'The Long Midnight of Barney Thomson'. Odd.

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