What do you think?
Rate this book
Avenue Cars: A Hull gangland thriller
Our Dave has been running Avenue Cars on Chanterlands Ave, Hull, for as long as anyone remembers. You can depend on Our Dave, but it wasn’t always like that.
Back in the seventies he did things he isn’t proud of, and buried under the shed on his allotment behind Newland Ave, is a shotgun.
There are dark forces in this city. Leatherhead controls the heavy drugs that come through Hessle Road. The Mancs are trying to muscle their way in, and then you’ve got the bent coppers.
If Our Dave is to keep his drivers safe, he’ll have to go back to his old ways.
It’ll be murder.
Back in the seventies he did things he isn’t proud of, and buried under the shed on his allotment behind Newland Ave, is a shotgun.
There are dark forces in this city. Leatherhead controls the heavy drugs that come through Hessle Road. The Mancs are trying to muscle their way in, and then you’ve got the bent coppers.
If Our Dave is to keep his drivers safe, he’ll have to go back to his old ways.
It’ll be murder.
203 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2023
25 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Chris Speck
26 books70 followersChris Speck is a writer and musician from East Yorkshire, UK.
He writes crime thrillers set in Hull, historical novels set in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and seafaring tales set out in the North Sea.
His latest book, Queen of Queens, is a murder mystery set in the legendary Hull pub, The Queens. Young Billie Jackson must find a killer before they find her.
The Witch at the End of the Lane is a historical thriller set in Beverley, 1794. Expect ghosts (four of them), a kidnap, and at least one murder.
Chris spent his twenties travelling the world — first as a guitar teacher, then teaching English in countries as diverse as Hungary, Spain, and Papua New Guinea — before returning to the flatlands of East Yorkshire.
He also plays washboard in the legendary skiffle group, Black Kes.
He writes crime thrillers set in Hull, historical novels set in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and seafaring tales set out in the North Sea.
His latest book, Queen of Queens, is a murder mystery set in the legendary Hull pub, The Queens. Young Billie Jackson must find a killer before they find her.
The Witch at the End of the Lane is a historical thriller set in Beverley, 1794. Expect ghosts (four of them), a kidnap, and at least one murder.
Chris spent his twenties travelling the world — first as a guitar teacher, then teaching English in countries as diverse as Hungary, Spain, and Papua New Guinea — before returning to the flatlands of East Yorkshire.
He also plays washboard in the legendary skiffle group, Black Kes.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 18, 2024
On the money
As I was born and lived in Hull and know Chants Ave quite well this novel was welcome on many levels. It did not disappoint. The main characters Avenue Cars evolve revealing their vulnerabilities and true identities, and their care for each other. Our Dave is a great character to build a story around. The reference to Hull, it's people, it's neighborhoods and streets, the surrounding areas, and Hull’s past all resonated with this reader. Well done Mr. Speck. Looking forward to the next in the series. .
As I was born and lived in Hull and know Chants Ave quite well this novel was welcome on many levels. It did not disappoint. The main characters Avenue Cars evolve revealing their vulnerabilities and true identities, and their care for each other. Our Dave is a great character to build a story around. The reference to Hull, it's people, it's neighborhoods and streets, the surrounding areas, and Hull’s past all resonated with this reader. Well done Mr. Speck. Looking forward to the next in the series. .
November 19, 2025
What a great opening to a series set in my home town from Chris Speck
Our Dave is in his 60's & runs a small taxi office on Chants Ave, His 3 drivers Bev, Liz & Dilva all take jobs ferrying Children to school & back on a Council contract. It's good,safe,honest work, that is until someone decides Dave needs to step down or leave altogether.
Our Dave's past it seems is catching up with him & someone wants his business, By fair means or foul. Fantastic read.
Our Dave is in his 60's & runs a small taxi office on Chants Ave, His 3 drivers Bev, Liz & Dilva all take jobs ferrying Children to school & back on a Council contract. It's good,safe,honest work, that is until someone decides Dave needs to step down or leave altogether.
Our Dave's past it seems is catching up with him & someone wants his business, By fair means or foul. Fantastic read.
May 6, 2023
Starting with an A team quote and then being completely unexpectedly weirdly brilliant from there. This is a new style for Chris but as full of accomplished writing as his others and told in a style that makes it uniquely Hull. I thoroughly enjoyed this and hope we hear more about so many of the characters that are involved 5*
June 15, 2023
Coming from Hull myself, this book made many interesting references to the places and culture of Hull whilst maintaining a fast paced plot throughout. The characters were very nice and enjoyable and the writing had that smooth effortless nature that facilitates easy visualisation. Overall a great book.
January 8, 2024
The beginning of this book is like a tribute to the area I grew up in and the little world of our allotments! The story gets out of hand in places but it's a proper page turner.
If I ever get to talk to Chris Speck I'll be sure to ask him why he hates teachers... 🤷🏼♀️
If I ever get to talk to Chris Speck I'll be sure to ask him why he hates teachers... 🤷🏼♀️
July 13, 2025
taking me back to my childhood
Really enjoyed the book and the characters. Not what I usually read I’m more of an autobiography man but been brought up in the avenues area thought I would give this book a read
Hears to the next one
Really enjoyed the book and the characters. Not what I usually read I’m more of an autobiography man but been brought up in the avenues area thought I would give this book a read
Hears to the next one
August 17, 2023
Something a little closer to home, Chantrrlands Avenue, HU5 - my own postcode and literally a stone’s throw away. Pretty good, entertained by the constant name drops of places I know so well.
September 5, 2025
This was extra special to me
It’s the first time I’ve read any Chris Speck
Books
I lived near Hull for about 30 years and this book mention many places that I knew
Especially Brough
But saying that I have enjoyed the story and will buy the next episode
It’s the first time I’ve read any Chris Speck
Books
I lived near Hull for about 30 years and this book mention many places that I knew
Especially Brough
But saying that I have enjoyed the story and will buy the next episode
January 7, 2026
I’ve thought I’d reviewed this. Maybe elsewhere, do yourself a favour and get involved with ‘Big Dave’
The taxi office on Chanterlands Ave isn’t what it used to be. The drivers who sat behind the wheel of the cabs are gone as has the clientele but none of that has forced owner, Our Dave, to throw in the towel. Like all good business owners faced with the challenge of decline he has diversified, running cars for the council with a skeleton crew of female part timers.
When the threats start it becomes apparent somebody wants Our Dave shut down but Avenue Cars isn’t where Dave’s real money comes from and there are too many people depending on him to cut and run without a fight.
Chris Speck’s Avenue Cars is a crime thriller with a heavy dose of contemporary noir. This is a great read, aided by a cast of well developed characters with interesting histories, complex relationships and flawed personalities, their problems and diversity explored as Chris crafts a page turning thriller.
Wholly recommended.
The taxi office on Chanterlands Ave isn’t what it used to be. The drivers who sat behind the wheel of the cabs are gone as has the clientele but none of that has forced owner, Our Dave, to throw in the towel. Like all good business owners faced with the challenge of decline he has diversified, running cars for the council with a skeleton crew of female part timers.
When the threats start it becomes apparent somebody wants Our Dave shut down but Avenue Cars isn’t where Dave’s real money comes from and there are too many people depending on him to cut and run without a fight.
Chris Speck’s Avenue Cars is a crime thriller with a heavy dose of contemporary noir. This is a great read, aided by a cast of well developed characters with interesting histories, complex relationships and flawed personalities, their problems and diversity explored as Chris crafts a page turning thriller.
Wholly recommended.
February 19, 2025
DNF
Look. I was really hopefully about this book as I live in Hull, been a bus driver and knowing the streets etc. But, I couldn’t get past chapter 2. The writing style is just not for me and I couldn’t stick with it. It just truly isn’t for me which is a shame
Sorry!
Look. I was really hopefully about this book as I live in Hull, been a bus driver and knowing the streets etc. But, I couldn’t get past chapter 2. The writing style is just not for me and I couldn’t stick with it. It just truly isn’t for me which is a shame
Sorry!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews