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Man of the World is out now with All Due Respect, who are purveyors of mighty fine low life literature.

Brazill’s book felt a bit like if Guy Ritchie had directed The Ladykillers (1955 version)It’s a Brit-Grit belter laced with music to die for.

Concentrated razor-sharp dialogue, lyrical dynamics and poetry are all in there… it’s so good.

A Brazill book is always a treat to discover, read and to return to – This is no exception!

Here, retired-ish hit-man Tommy Bennett goes back over a familiar Seatown, and it’s a joy to visit with him. Going along for the rude rough ride into what could be any fictionalised dilapidated Weston-super…Blackpool-Torquay-South Shields kinda place.

He paints a picture postcard noir seascape to be both in fear and in love with.

Tasty dark demons haunt Tony as he falls from hangover, bed, conversation and tainted thoughts.


Ghosts are here too – with a lighthouse image crafting an entire Stephen King esque epic in a glorious line or two.

Gritty, poetry-filled characters with soul…

Rescue the coke idled lap dancer from the dealing madame. What could possibly go wrong…

I savoured each line.

And, always do with Brazill’s books, they’re concentrated little bites with hidden poetic gemstones shining through. Stories hide in the subtext and between the lines, in words unsaid or part written. His novellas feel weighty in what’s there, but also what’s not – feeding the reader’s imagination. His own blend of noir magic.

There are rich characters, pithy dialogue, giggles, fights and seediness galore throughout…

But, if you want it, there’s more here…a whole lot of layers to be peeled back and devoured.

I look forward Brazill’s next book – like a post-lockdown pint in a pub!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul D. Brazill

Paul D. Brazill’s books include Man Of The WorldLast Year’s Man and Gumshoe Blues. He was born in England and lives in Poland. His writing has been translated into Italian, Finnish, Polish, German and Slovene. He has had writing published in various magazines and anthologies, including The Mammoth Books of Best British Crime.


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