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Gun
It's a simple enough job for a very dangerous man - go to the Leam Lane estate, pick up a converted air pistol from a guy called Florida Al, bring it back in one piece. But Richie - fresh out of the YOI and about to be a dad - has just lost the gun to a bunch of young thugs. And Goose isn't the kind of bloke who gives second chances ...
GUN - previously published by Crime Express, now an e-dition with a brand new introduction by Martyn Waites.
Praise for GUN:
"GUN is arguably the purest example of what makes Ray Banks the most singular voice in crime fiction today." - Spinetingler
"GUN is quick and dirty crime fiction. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed." - The Electric Mayhem
"GUN is a buy in the morning and devour by the afternoon mini-masterpiece." - Tony Black, author of TRUTH LIES BLEEDING
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
GUN - previously published by Crime Express, now an e-dition with a brand new introduction by Martyn Waites.
Praise for GUN:
"GUN is arguably the purest example of what makes Ray Banks the most singular voice in crime fiction today." - Spinetingler
"GUN is quick and dirty crime fiction. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed." - The Electric Mayhem
"GUN is a buy in the morning and devour by the afternoon mini-masterpiece." - Tony Black, author of TRUTH LIES BLEEDING
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
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 22, 2011
All Richie had to do was pay a visit to Al Floria of Leam Lane estate fame, pick up a gun and return it to his local physically challenged crime boss. Sounds simple enough, however, Richie attracts violence like shit does flies and in no time at all he's knee deep in the thick of it with a busted up hand, bullet wound and a missing gun. The gun, by in large is an extension of Richie, and more fittingly, not unlike his character; something people use then throw away, palm off to someone else, more trouble than worth, essentially a good thing to have in a particular line of business and not much cop for anything else. That being said, for a novella, Banks sure as hell gives the reader a nice piece of character development as we delve into the inner workings of Richie from his girlfriend back home, stint in lockup, to empty promises and broken dreams. To add more bang for your buck Gun unloads with an ending I didn't see coming, just another bullet leaving the chamber for Banks who continues to deliver time and time again. From start to finish, Gun gripped me by the scruff of the ahhh (rhymes with walls) and didn't let get go. Gritty, raw, and pure entertainment - 4 stars.
February 15, 2013
Note perfect. There's not much else to say than that Banks has written an amazingly tight and compelling crime novella. I suppose it's worth mentioning that there is a lot of Scottish slang and profanity in the text. It adds verisimilitude and context. I wouldn't say that there was a single gratuitous word in the book. If you like British hardboiled crime, this book is a virtuoso performance hitting every note in time and without a flub. IMO, Ray Banks might just be the Charlie Parker of the keyboard.
November 15, 2011
For anyone that hasn't read Ray Banks, this is a great introduction to his work.
Lean and mean, this novella is a perfect read-in-one-sitting book. The very simple story plays out as a back alley version of STRAY DOG or THE BICYCLE THIEF, desperation and purpose driving our hero because he doesn't know any better.
Brutal. Violent. Funny. What Ray Banks does best.
Lean and mean, this novella is a perfect read-in-one-sitting book. The very simple story plays out as a back alley version of STRAY DOG or THE BICYCLE THIEF, desperation and purpose driving our hero because he doesn't know any better.
Brutal. Violent. Funny. What Ray Banks does best.
October 5, 2011
There is something about certain English accents that really makes it hard for Americans (even Canadians) to understand the English language. I remember channel surfing one time a couple years back and MTV had some British teen reality show with actual subtitles. Bollocks! Anyway, if you like crime stories set in the UK but have trouble with the accents, try reading a book. In fact, you should read this one.
Gun is a novella about a guy named Richie. Richie needs a job, but he's not cut out for the nine-to-five routine, so he asks the local crime boss, Goose. The job: go to Leam Lane, deliver a payment to a hood named Al, pick up a gun for Goose in exchange, and bring it back. Sounds simple, right? Well, it should be, but Richie is a magnet for misfortune. His girlfriend know it too, and despite her warnings and pleas for him to get on the straight and narrow, Richie needs money--fast.
Richie gets the gun without too much of a bother--the gay porn on Al's telly he could've done without--but he barely gets to the bus stop before a trio of charva thugs beat the hell out of him and mug him, namely stealing the gun Richie needs to get back to Goose. And there in lies Richie's problem. He can't go back empty-handed, can't go sulking to Goose for help either, so he dusts himself off and goes in search of the gun.
The extent of my experience with British noir is limited to Guy Ritchie films, so Gun was like a teaser of what I've been missing. To say Gun is a potent, gritty odyssey is like saying a howitzer has a bit of a kick. Ray Banks has a few novels under his belt, but considering the amount of story he packed in this compact novella, this novels must feel downright epic in scale. Whatever the case, I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I believe I'm going to have to track down more of Ray's work. One of his books recommended to me was Saturday's Child. Sounds like as good a place to start as any.
Gun is a novella about a guy named Richie. Richie needs a job, but he's not cut out for the nine-to-five routine, so he asks the local crime boss, Goose. The job: go to Leam Lane, deliver a payment to a hood named Al, pick up a gun for Goose in exchange, and bring it back. Sounds simple, right? Well, it should be, but Richie is a magnet for misfortune. His girlfriend know it too, and despite her warnings and pleas for him to get on the straight and narrow, Richie needs money--fast.
Richie gets the gun without too much of a bother--the gay porn on Al's telly he could've done without--but he barely gets to the bus stop before a trio of charva thugs beat the hell out of him and mug him, namely stealing the gun Richie needs to get back to Goose. And there in lies Richie's problem. He can't go back empty-handed, can't go sulking to Goose for help either, so he dusts himself off and goes in search of the gun.
The extent of my experience with British noir is limited to Guy Ritchie films, so Gun was like a teaser of what I've been missing. To say Gun is a potent, gritty odyssey is like saying a howitzer has a bit of a kick. Ray Banks has a few novels under his belt, but considering the amount of story he packed in this compact novella, this novels must feel downright epic in scale. Whatever the case, I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and I believe I'm going to have to track down more of Ray's work. One of his books recommended to me was Saturday's Child. Sounds like as good a place to start as any.
October 5, 2013
This review is from: Gun (Kindle Edition)
Just what I needed to get me out of a little reading trough. I picked up my kindle and found Gun to fill a few minutes and didn't put it down again until I'd reached the end. Cliché or what? Only it's not a cliché that usually applies to me beyond the short story.
Here we have a day in the life of Richie, fresh out of prison and looking for money in the only places he understands. He goes along to see Goose, a man with the reputation Mike Tyson would have in the North East if he were to wind up there. Only problem is it was by working for Goose that he was sent down in the first place.
Goose is really well written. He's not around for long, but the enormity of his menace is clear by the time he's said his piece. And his piece involves the collection of another piece - the gun of the title. It'll take him to another part of town where everyone's hard and down on their luck. He'll get to meet Florida Al, another nasty character. It'll push Richie to his limits and expose the natural cruelty and desperation that lies not too far beneath the surface which he seems unable fully understand.
The settings are bleak, the characters and bit-players superbly drawn, the tension's always present and grows as steadily as a prisoner being tortured on the rack and the dialogue is so sharp it makes a mark.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from a writer who always produces the goods.
Smashing.
Just what I needed to get me out of a little reading trough. I picked up my kindle and found Gun to fill a few minutes and didn't put it down again until I'd reached the end. Cliché or what? Only it's not a cliché that usually applies to me beyond the short story.
Here we have a day in the life of Richie, fresh out of prison and looking for money in the only places he understands. He goes along to see Goose, a man with the reputation Mike Tyson would have in the North East if he were to wind up there. Only problem is it was by working for Goose that he was sent down in the first place.
Goose is really well written. He's not around for long, but the enormity of his menace is clear by the time he's said his piece. And his piece involves the collection of another piece - the gun of the title. It'll take him to another part of town where everyone's hard and down on their luck. He'll get to meet Florida Al, another nasty character. It'll push Richie to his limits and expose the natural cruelty and desperation that lies not too far beneath the surface which he seems unable fully understand.
The settings are bleak, the characters and bit-players superbly drawn, the tension's always present and grows as steadily as a prisoner being tortured on the rack and the dialogue is so sharp it makes a mark.
A thoroughly enjoyable read from a writer who always produces the goods.
Smashing.
October 25, 2011
What a curious, tense and oh-so-perfectly wrapped little oddity. While I will give Ray Banks extra points for writing an original spin on a common story, I can't help but finding that the excellence of this novella lies in its execution. It's airtight storytelling, no description, no dialog, not even a single word is ever lost. Some will find is very controlled, but I like controlled. I like whatever can make a point so strongly. Think about GUN as a business card written by a Bruce Lee type. Less is more guys and Ray Banks gets that.
July 25, 2011
It's the first Ray Banks I've read but it won't be the last. Excellent gritty stuff, beautiful ear for dialogue, terse characters wise-cracking in tough circumstances.
If Philip Marlowe had written about street crime on the wrong side of Byker Grove .... this also features mean streets, "Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean ..."
If Philip Marlowe had written about street crime on the wrong side of Byker Grove .... this also features mean streets, "Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean ..."
Read
October 11, 2011Richie has recently been released from prison after serving a sentence for ABH (actual bodily harm) committed during the course of doing a job for local crime boss/drug dealer, Goose. Richie’s girlfriend wants him to make a fresh start and get a proper job, but only 18 and with no real education Richie soon finds himself back on Goose’s doorstep looking for work.
Though at first Goose doesn’t even remember him – rather insulting since Richie did more time than he otherwise would have had to because he wouldn’t tell the police who he was working for – Goose soon assigns Richie the task of dropping by another lowlife’s place, picking up a gun Goose has arranged for, and bringing it back. Sounds simple enough. But of course it’s not. It never is.
Things go sideways for Richie almost immediately, and the matter-of-fact manner in which the violence that ensues is portrayed speaks to the brutal environment Richie and those around him similarly situated function in as they attempt to improve their lives through the only path they see as being a realistic means to an end: crime.
While on the surface Gun is a straightforward gritty tale of crime and noir, and a damn good one, there’s more going on than just fisticuffs and gunplay. Banks very subtly infuses the story with an undeniable undercurrent of futility and hopelessness that speaks to more than just Richie’s predicament, which is merely a reflection of the larger plight of those caught in a similar never-ending cycle: poverty, crime, prison, repeat.
It speaks to Banks’ skill as an author that he’s conjured up a quick and dirty tale that not only satisfies on a visceral level, but which also manages to make some very poignant social observations in the process. Both bleak and brilliant, and with an ending that will leave you feeling gutted, you should definitely give Gun a shot.
Though at first Goose doesn’t even remember him – rather insulting since Richie did more time than he otherwise would have had to because he wouldn’t tell the police who he was working for – Goose soon assigns Richie the task of dropping by another lowlife’s place, picking up a gun Goose has arranged for, and bringing it back. Sounds simple enough. But of course it’s not. It never is.
Things go sideways for Richie almost immediately, and the matter-of-fact manner in which the violence that ensues is portrayed speaks to the brutal environment Richie and those around him similarly situated function in as they attempt to improve their lives through the only path they see as being a realistic means to an end: crime.
While on the surface Gun is a straightforward gritty tale of crime and noir, and a damn good one, there’s more going on than just fisticuffs and gunplay. Banks very subtly infuses the story with an undeniable undercurrent of futility and hopelessness that speaks to more than just Richie’s predicament, which is merely a reflection of the larger plight of those caught in a similar never-ending cycle: poverty, crime, prison, repeat.
It speaks to Banks’ skill as an author that he’s conjured up a quick and dirty tale that not only satisfies on a visceral level, but which also manages to make some very poignant social observations in the process. Both bleak and brilliant, and with an ending that will leave you feeling gutted, you should definitely give Gun a shot.
June 12, 2012
One of the great things about Kindle and e-readers in general: the return of the novella. If no one else has already predicted this, I'll do the honors. Novellas and short novels are coming back. And thank Christ for that, maybe the days of over-blown doorstop thrillers are nearing an end, eh? One can only hope.
If Ray Banks novella, Gun, is any indication, there's some seriously tight, noir-to-the-bone stuff to read. Although, to be honest, most of it won't come anywhere NEAR Banks' quality. He's one of our finest writers, and all his formidable skills are on display with Gun.
The story: our young hero, Richie, has a simple enough task: go to Florida Al's place, pick up the gun his boss wants, and bring it back. Piece a'cake, right? If you answered "yes" to that question, then you clearly haven't read enough modern noir. I want to avoid spoilers here, but I can safely tell you that Richie is in for one seriously bad day.
One of my favorite things about Banks is his knack for great dialogue. Crime writers in England, Scotland and Ireland have a big advantage over us Americans in that their vernacular is so colorful and entertaining. Everyone's always saying "Oh, aye," and talking about "chining" someone or calling other people "lad"... let's face it, Brit criminals talk cooler than American ones. And Banks knows how to pepper the dialogue with this great language without it ever becoming incomprehensible.
If you haven't read Ray Banks yet (and honestly, why haven't you?) Gun is a good place to start. Short, hard, and brilliantly written.
If Ray Banks novella, Gun, is any indication, there's some seriously tight, noir-to-the-bone stuff to read. Although, to be honest, most of it won't come anywhere NEAR Banks' quality. He's one of our finest writers, and all his formidable skills are on display with Gun.
The story: our young hero, Richie, has a simple enough task: go to Florida Al's place, pick up the gun his boss wants, and bring it back. Piece a'cake, right? If you answered "yes" to that question, then you clearly haven't read enough modern noir. I want to avoid spoilers here, but I can safely tell you that Richie is in for one seriously bad day.
One of my favorite things about Banks is his knack for great dialogue. Crime writers in England, Scotland and Ireland have a big advantage over us Americans in that their vernacular is so colorful and entertaining. Everyone's always saying "Oh, aye," and talking about "chining" someone or calling other people "lad"... let's face it, Brit criminals talk cooler than American ones. And Banks knows how to pepper the dialogue with this great language without it ever becoming incomprehensible.
If you haven't read Ray Banks yet (and honestly, why haven't you?) Gun is a good place to start. Short, hard, and brilliantly written.
April 1, 2011
Gun is biting, bleak noir with a boot in the gutter and a shooter in the waistband. Banks, author of the outstanding No More Heroes and Beast of Burden has sharpened his already laser-edged storytelling in this novella about a bottom-feeder crim sent to collect a handgun.
British crime fiction doesn't get much grittier than this foray into the mean streets of petty crooks and knuckle-breaking thugs. Banks portrays the street trash and derros of the inner city with an acuity few of his peers can match. But it's his empathetic treatment of their woes that shines out in Gun. This is a tale that speaks up for the futility of those trapped in the slum, those seeking a better life when the only options point to prison or a needle.
For such a short, and seemingly prosaic, tale Banks crams in an incredible amount. Like Hemingway's iceberg principle, there's much more going on between the lines that the keen reader will ponder on. This is no mean writing feat, and one too rarely achieved these days.
Gun is a buy in the morning and devour by the afternoon mini-masterpiece that will whet the appetite for more from this talented writer.
British crime fiction doesn't get much grittier than this foray into the mean streets of petty crooks and knuckle-breaking thugs. Banks portrays the street trash and derros of the inner city with an acuity few of his peers can match. But it's his empathetic treatment of their woes that shines out in Gun. This is a tale that speaks up for the futility of those trapped in the slum, those seeking a better life when the only options point to prison or a needle.
For such a short, and seemingly prosaic, tale Banks crams in an incredible amount. Like Hemingway's iceberg principle, there's much more going on between the lines that the keen reader will ponder on. This is no mean writing feat, and one too rarely achieved these days.
Gun is a buy in the morning and devour by the afternoon mini-masterpiece that will whet the appetite for more from this talented writer.
October 11, 2011
This is just a fabulous wee story about the boys that you see wandering around any high street in the UK and the trouble they can get themself wrapped up in.
The dialogue is superb and Banks shows he has a real ear for how real folk talk and I greatly enjoyed the realistic patter. The story is just so typically noir; it goes from bad to worse and then really , really bad for out poor wee hero Richie, who's just out from the jail and goes straight back into the same social network of small time criminals tat got him banged up in the first place. He's actually quite a nice guy and he'd rather be with his girlfriend Becka and mooch around the shops on a Saturday afternoon but he's got no dosh....and as he says, ' He couldn't make money and look for a job at the same time.'
Richie gets teamed up with Goose again, the guy who gave him the job that landed Richie in prison and this time it's not a bit of GBH he wants Richie to do but he asks him to venture into enemy territory to buy a gun off another gadgie called Florida Al.
Great characters, tight plot wonderful dialogue. This Ray Banks is pretty good you know.....
The dialogue is superb and Banks shows he has a real ear for how real folk talk and I greatly enjoyed the realistic patter. The story is just so typically noir; it goes from bad to worse and then really , really bad for out poor wee hero Richie, who's just out from the jail and goes straight back into the same social network of small time criminals tat got him banged up in the first place. He's actually quite a nice guy and he'd rather be with his girlfriend Becka and mooch around the shops on a Saturday afternoon but he's got no dosh....and as he says, ' He couldn't make money and look for a job at the same time.'
Richie gets teamed up with Goose again, the guy who gave him the job that landed Richie in prison and this time it's not a bit of GBH he wants Richie to do but he asks him to venture into enemy territory to buy a gun off another gadgie called Florida Al.
Great characters, tight plot wonderful dialogue. This Ray Banks is pretty good you know.....
December 19, 2011
I like to discover new authors with as few preconceptions as possible. I don’t read up on them. I don’t read reviews. I just dive into the icy waters of a new writers imagination. However, everyone I know in the crime writing fraternity, which I am new to, raves about Ray Banks. Still I bided my time and read his novella Gun when I was good and ready.
On the face of it the plot was a simple one. A guy just out of prison wants earn some cash without the drudgery of the 9 to 5. Who can blame him eh? He runs an errand for a dodgy character that he feels owes him a favour. Things pretty much go downhill for Richie from there on in.
The dialogue throughout the story is absolutely spot on. It is never overdone nor underdone. I have discovered a great secret. The most powerful adhesive in the world: Ray Banks. Try as I might I could not put down my kindle. It was stuck fast to my hand. I was absolutely captivated. Gun had realism, grit, wit, violence and given the tone of the story, surprisingly also hope. Yes my crime writing friends Banks the master has sucked in another one.
On the face of it the plot was a simple one. A guy just out of prison wants earn some cash without the drudgery of the 9 to 5. Who can blame him eh? He runs an errand for a dodgy character that he feels owes him a favour. Things pretty much go downhill for Richie from there on in.
The dialogue throughout the story is absolutely spot on. It is never overdone nor underdone. I have discovered a great secret. The most powerful adhesive in the world: Ray Banks. Try as I might I could not put down my kindle. It was stuck fast to my hand. I was absolutely captivated. Gun had realism, grit, wit, violence and given the tone of the story, surprisingly also hope. Yes my crime writing friends Banks the master has sucked in another one.
August 20, 2012
This was a perfect example of why the British do crime thrillers better than anyone else in the world. Ray Banks takes what could have been a rather dull tale and turns it on its head with scene after scene of violence and blood. The dialogue was awesome (once I worked out what a few words meant - being an Aussie made it tricky in a few spots!) and the pace of the action was just about spot on.
If you haven't read a British crime story, start here.
If you have, then you know just how good this is!
If you haven't read a British crime story, start here.
If you have, then you know just how good this is!
August 20, 2011
Ray Banks is unputdownable. This short novella grabs you from the first page and never lets go. All ex-con Richie has to do is pick up a gun and deliver it to a man known as Goose. Of course, it's not quite as easy as all that. Banks has the uncanny ability to infuse each one of his characters with so much life in so few words.
Like a fresh pint of Guinness, "Gun" is bitter, black as hell, and goes down smooth.
Like a fresh pint of Guinness, "Gun" is bitter, black as hell, and goes down smooth.
August 26, 2012
GUN is another gritty, sharp-edged novella from Ray Banks. Full of Banks' fierce prose and thugged out life-like characters. I have yet to read a mediocre book from him. Recommended to any fan of noir and hardboiled novels.
July 7, 2011
Short, sharp and shocking. I really enjoyed this crime novella.
July 16, 2011
Cracking short read by Banks. Charges along at breakneck speed & never lets up. Hope his Cal Innes books make it to Kindle as this guy has a massive rep amongst crime fans & writers
January 25, 2013
Reviewed at Pulp300...
http://pulp300.wordpress.com/2013/01/...
http://pulp300.wordpress.com/2013/01/...
March 24, 2012
Maan I loved this one especially. Ray Banks manages to get you to empathise with all kinds of shady characters even more so than Alan Guthrie.
August 12, 2016
I liked it.
I was a bit lost on what kind of gun it was....an air pistol or a real gun. but beyond that...stellar.
I was a bit lost on what kind of gun it was....an air pistol or a real gun. but beyond that...stellar.
November 29, 2012
This is a novella... quick read.
February 9, 2013
Great grimy street crime novella. I would have liked to read more about the character, but it was a perfect length for this story
June 25, 2013
Short, bittersweet good read. Enjoyed very much.
March 3, 2014
A nice novella from Ray Banks. 'Not quite to the level of his Cal Innis books but still well executed.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews