Russell James

Count Me Out Russell James

South-east London gangland meets the alternative lifestyle of a travelling fair. Jet Heywood is a fairground boxer past his prime and his brother Scott is a security van driver who has long wanted out of his dead-end life. When Scott's van disappears with a two million pound payload Jet doesn't know whether his brother was a victim or a thief. But Scott's old gang knows - and they reckon Jet knows where he is. They decide to pressurise him and, if that fails, to take his daughter. But Jet's no pushover. He is chased by an evil crew - Gottfleisch, a gargantuan and sinister fence; Ray Lyons, a vicious thug out for revenge; and little Ticky, a paedophile with his own malevolent aims. When Jet decides to take his eight year old daughter with him on the road the travelling fair provides no hiding place. Hounded by press, police and intrusive social workers - and by his brother's determined gang - Jet has to fight both in and outside the ring. This is a dark yet moving thriller from 'one of Britain's most stylish and uncompromising writers', moving from the hard streets of south east London to the last fairground boxing booth in Britain. 'His best in ages. Relish the darkness.' - Time Out'James has created an entirely loathsome and creepy pair of criminals (bringing to mind Sidney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre in their roles in the Maltese Falcon) who balance the plucky and admirable father-and-daughter team of Jet and Stella.' - Publishers Weekly'Deftly combines chilling suspense and insightful characterization, leaving us both breathless and satisfied after a heart-stopping finale.' - Peter Handel in the San Francisco Chronicle.