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Soho Noir #.05
Gaslight
It's London, 1920. Newly demobilized soldiers have flooded the capital's streets but an ungrateful country isn't ready for them. Harry Costello has returned from the horrors of the Somme to no job, no money and no prospects. Desperate times demand desperate measures and when an opportunity to burgle a house presents itself, Harry seizes the chance.
When Harry and his brother Frank are blackmailed into paying off a local hood they decide to take care of the problem themselves. But when all of London's underworld is in thrall to the man's boss, was their plan audacious or the most foolish thing that they could possibly have done?
You think crime doesn't pay? Meet the Costelllos - the kind of criminal family that might make you change your mind.
When Harry and his brother Frank are blackmailed into paying off a local hood they decide to take care of the problem themselves. But when all of London's underworld is in thrall to the man's boss, was their plan audacious or the most foolish thing that they could possibly have done?
You think crime doesn't pay? Meet the Costelllos - the kind of criminal family that might make you change your mind.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 4, 2014
80 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Mark Dawson
114 books1,853 followersFor news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
http://eepurl.com/Cai5X
Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.
He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).
The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.
Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.
You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 10, 2017
Book #0.5 in the Soho Noir series
A 65 pages novella, a prequel to the earlier published works “The Imposter and The Black Mile.
The story is moody and vivid but it is too short and too thin but the biggest disappointment is that it leaves you hanging and wanting more. Like most short stories “Gaslight” has its flaws but it is worth the time reading it.
What pushed me to download this book: simple I am a huge fan. Mr. Dawson usually writes exciting stories that lures you in and keeps you interested till you reach the end and why not at the time the book was offered free of charges.
Here he set the stage to post war London 1920, his main characters are two brothers, Harry and Frank Costello who burgle house to supplement their incomes. Mr. Dawson even in his short story never misses the mark in creating the right atmosphere. His vivid prose paints a picture of the seedier side of London’s life, its crime elements and the poorer quarters with ease. But it ends too abruptly for me. This story is more of a teaser…..
A 65 pages novella, a prequel to the earlier published works “The Imposter and The Black Mile.
The story is moody and vivid but it is too short and too thin but the biggest disappointment is that it leaves you hanging and wanting more. Like most short stories “Gaslight” has its flaws but it is worth the time reading it.
What pushed me to download this book: simple I am a huge fan. Mr. Dawson usually writes exciting stories that lures you in and keeps you interested till you reach the end and why not at the time the book was offered free of charges.
Here he set the stage to post war London 1920, his main characters are two brothers, Harry and Frank Costello who burgle house to supplement their incomes. Mr. Dawson even in his short story never misses the mark in creating the right atmosphere. His vivid prose paints a picture of the seedier side of London’s life, its crime elements and the poorer quarters with ease. But it ends too abruptly for me. This story is more of a teaser…..
April 18, 2015
London after the end of the Great War was not an easy place to live. This novella follows two brothers, Harry and Frank Costello. After leaving the army Frank takes a job as a lamplighter, which gives him the opportunity to scout out possible houses to burgle. After one such burglary they fall foul of a gang which runs a protection racket throughout that area of London. Everyone is scared of the gang's boss, so have the brothers bitten off more than they can chew?
Once again the author depicts the seedier side of London life, but it is done with such attention that you can't hep but imagine yourself there, treading those same cobbled streets. The characters have that self same ring of authenticity about them. I just wish that this was a full book and not just a novella.
Once again the author depicts the seedier side of London life, but it is done with such attention that you can't hep but imagine yourself there, treading those same cobbled streets. The characters have that self same ring of authenticity about them. I just wish that this was a full book and not just a novella.
October 28, 2018
Intriguing
3.5*
I have rounded up for the sake of how to end on a cliffhanger.
The story was short, to the point and I personally felt that I was in the said era after the great war. The cliffhanger at the end let it down yet leaves an insatiable desire for more.
The overall context is realistic, believable and true to the time setting of the book.
Mark Dawson is fast becoming a brilliant, top notch author within different sub genres of the crime and thriller fields.
3.5*
I have rounded up for the sake of how to end on a cliffhanger.
The story was short, to the point and I personally felt that I was in the said era after the great war. The cliffhanger at the end let it down yet leaves an insatiable desire for more.
The overall context is realistic, believable and true to the time setting of the book.
Mark Dawson is fast becoming a brilliant, top notch author within different sub genres of the crime and thriller fields.
August 10, 2016
Good beginning for excellent series.
Reading books written by Mark Dawson always reminds me A. J. Cronin. London 1920, after the first war, Harry is back, no jobs and no prospects. Doing what he can earn a living with his older brother. Some reviews didn't like these characters, but we didn't live in those terrible years.
Reading books written by Mark Dawson always reminds me A. J. Cronin. London 1920, after the first war, Harry is back, no jobs and no prospects. Doing what he can earn a living with his older brother. Some reviews didn't like these characters, but we didn't live in those terrible years.
April 30, 2017
When Harry comes home to London in 1920 after the horrors of WWI, he returns to an ungrateful country without a job, money, or any prospects. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so Harry jumps at the chance to rob a house. Harry and Frank, his brother, then find themselves being blackmailed by a local hood, so they decide to take care of the problem on their own. It turns out that all of London's underworld is in thrall to the man's boss, so they're plan's either incredibly audacious or the dumbest thing they could have done.
When I saw this short story for free on Amazon, I knew I had to get it. The cover, the name, the description - it sounded like it had such potential. I generally like noir, but when I realized it was set in 1920 (which I wouldn't have guessed from the cover) I was wary because that just seems far to early for noir to me. I tend to think of something in the 1930s or 1940s. The author captures the atmosphere well, but tonally, it doesn't live up to a noir - it needs to be punched up more to qualify. While I did enjoy the story and the characters, it just seemed to be lacking something that could have really taken it to the next level.
By the way, I was expecting a completely different kind of gaslight (read: the 1944 film starring Ingrid Bergman kind of gaslighting).
When I saw this short story for free on Amazon, I knew I had to get it. The cover, the name, the description - it sounded like it had such potential. I generally like noir, but when I realized it was set in 1920 (which I wouldn't have guessed from the cover) I was wary because that just seems far to early for noir to me. I tend to think of something in the 1930s or 1940s. The author captures the atmosphere well, but tonally, it doesn't live up to a noir - it needs to be punched up more to qualify. While I did enjoy the story and the characters, it just seemed to be lacking something that could have really taken it to the next level.
By the way, I was expecting a completely different kind of gaslight (read: the 1944 film starring Ingrid Bergman kind of gaslighting).
January 2, 2015
I must say that what drew me first to this book was the cover. There were also the setting, post war London, and the crime element—but cover and title were first and foremost attractions.
The noir part made me hesitate a bit. I like it in movies but find that for the most part, people who say they create noir stuff (movies or novels) rely heavily on superficial props or lengthy description alone.
Happy to report it was not the case with Mr Dawson.
I found Gaslight to have the right amount of description that captured the atmosphere well, a range of interesting characters and a story that serves as a nice opening to the series I figured the author had in mind.
A side note: The 'gaslight' I had in mind was not the 'gaslight' Dawson had in his when he wrote this but, personally, I was so into the story that this realization did not come until the time I wrote this review! Definitely an entertaining read for someone who was wary about noir.
The noir part made me hesitate a bit. I like it in movies but find that for the most part, people who say they create noir stuff (movies or novels) rely heavily on superficial props or lengthy description alone.
Happy to report it was not the case with Mr Dawson.
I found Gaslight to have the right amount of description that captured the atmosphere well, a range of interesting characters and a story that serves as a nice opening to the series I figured the author had in mind.
A side note: The 'gaslight' I had in mind was not the 'gaslight' Dawson had in his when he wrote this but, personally, I was so into the story that this realization did not come until the time I wrote this review! Definitely an entertaining read for someone who was wary about noir.
February 19, 2014
Not a bad read by any measure. I just had a hard time getting into it.
June 6, 2016
Entertaining and quick.
June 4, 2017
"Gaslight" is a novella set in London's Soho district of Little Italy, just after the end of the Great War.
Edward Costello, a veteran is employed as a Gaslighter, a job that allows him to peek into the houses on his assigned route from his ladder as he light the flames in streetlights. It is a perfect opportunity to size up which houses are worth robbing and when the owners are usually not a home.
He and his brother break into one of the houses, coming away with a good haul to fence. Finally, a chance to have a bit of a fling.
What they forgot was that there was a boss of Little Italy, and he wanted his cut- plus a "tax" for holding back. Trouble? Oh, yeah.
I think that " Gaslight" , an early work of Mr. Dawson, shows his ability for atmosphere and fleshing out characters in a few well- chosen words. Even in this short piece, the reader feels the dank gloom of slum London. One can understand Costello's desire to claw himself out of his dreary neighborhood and his realization that working as a gaslighter was only going to keep him , literally, at the bottom of the ladder. How he climbs upward , using the lessons learned during the war makes for an interesting story with strong, very strong echoes of " The Godfather" . No, I am not suggesting that" Gaslight" is up to that classic, but it quite good for the short novel that it is. Dawson does a lot in 120 pages.
Ire commend "Gaslight" for when you need a quick hit, perhaps just as I did after finishing a slog through 500+ pages bio.
Notes: violence, of course. Criminality. A bit of clean romance. And a pleasant hours break from the world.
Edward Costello, a veteran is employed as a Gaslighter, a job that allows him to peek into the houses on his assigned route from his ladder as he light the flames in streetlights. It is a perfect opportunity to size up which houses are worth robbing and when the owners are usually not a home.
He and his brother break into one of the houses, coming away with a good haul to fence. Finally, a chance to have a bit of a fling.
What they forgot was that there was a boss of Little Italy, and he wanted his cut- plus a "tax" for holding back. Trouble? Oh, yeah.
I think that " Gaslight" , an early work of Mr. Dawson, shows his ability for atmosphere and fleshing out characters in a few well- chosen words. Even in this short piece, the reader feels the dank gloom of slum London. One can understand Costello's desire to claw himself out of his dreary neighborhood and his realization that working as a gaslighter was only going to keep him , literally, at the bottom of the ladder. How he climbs upward , using the lessons learned during the war makes for an interesting story with strong, very strong echoes of " The Godfather" . No, I am not suggesting that" Gaslight" is up to that classic, but it quite good for the short novel that it is. Dawson does a lot in 120 pages.
Ire commend "Gaslight" for when you need a quick hit, perhaps just as I did after finishing a slog through 500+ pages bio.
Notes: violence, of course. Criminality. A bit of clean romance. And a pleasant hours break from the world.
April 24, 2019
Two brothers in post was London
Gaslight was not quite what I expected of a Mark Dawson book. It took me a while to get into the story about two brothers who become involved with an Italian protection racket. And by the time I got interested in the story, it had ended! There are some wonderful descriptive passages in this book, which I have found a common thread in Dawson's writing.
Gaslight was not quite what I expected of a Mark Dawson book. It took me a while to get into the story about two brothers who become involved with an Italian protection racket. And by the time I got interested in the story, it had ended! There are some wonderful descriptive passages in this book, which I have found a common thread in Dawson's writing.
February 5, 2019
First book sets the pace
I have read the first three Soho Noir books, funnily enough in reverse order. Having read the first one pulls it all together. By day I am an ordinary woman, but between the covers of these books I almost believe that I am there with them, a different person entirely.
I have read the first three Soho Noir books, funnily enough in reverse order. Having read the first one pulls it all together. By day I am an ordinary woman, but between the covers of these books I almost believe that I am there with them, a different person entirely.
February 20, 2019
Gaslight by Dawson. I have been to London a few times but not to most of Mark's dark recesses of London. There is some sympathy for Harry, the returned soldier, and his character is believable in his gunning down those who want to exploit him. On his softer side, there is Bella, the barmaid. Can Harry maintain the divide between love and murder?
June 20, 2018
Pleasant!y surprised
Not one to read stories in this time era, and I had finished all of Mark's books, I was pleasantly surprised. When the book ended, I wasn't ready. Time to start the next one
Not one to read stories in this time era, and I had finished all of Mark's books, I was pleasantly surprised. When the book ended, I wasn't ready. Time to start the next one
February 17, 2018
Really good short story. Really makes you feel like you are there.
June 24, 2018
Another good one
Another good book in Trevino noir series. Well crafted and written and really bringing out the atmosphere of the era. Looking forward to the next one
Another good book in Trevino noir series. Well crafted and written and really bringing out the atmosphere of the era. Looking forward to the next one
June 6, 2019
Really enjoyed this.
September 3, 2024
Short and not that interesting
October 13, 2024
An enjoyable short story.
January 7, 2017
It was an entertaining, quick read, but I'm always looking for 'a bigger bang for my buck,' so to speak when I read a novella. Every word, every scene has to count in transporting me into another world. Gaslight markets itself as a 'noir'. The story was well written, but I felt the author missed the mark, in not creating the right atmosphere for the tale. The characters were well rounded, but the plot was a bit thin.
It filled the time in nicely, competent in what it did, but it was certainly no wow... it was just ok.
It filled the time in nicely, competent in what it did, but it was certainly no wow... it was just ok.
March 10, 2015
London post World War I in 1920. The culture and actions of the lower echelon of the city are illuminated in Mark Dawson's Gaslight.
Harry Costello works as a gaslight attendant after he comes back from fighting in the war. His job allows him to scout houses he can steal from with his brother George. It's after one of his jobs that the "tax collector" for the Little Italy mob boss comes to the Costello's to extort their "earnings" from them. Harry is rather quick-tempered and formulates a plan, with the help of local bartender and love interest Isabella, to remove his problem. Harry's actions catch the eye of the boss of Little Italy and earns him a job as an enforcer for the mob.
Within the text, there were issues in consistency of punctuation usage, namely in quotation marks. The narrative paints the scene relatively well, but the entire narrative is rather abbreviated in its scope of what actually takes place in comparison with the language associated with it. Events all built up to the climax that just sort of happened all too quickly and fizzled out immediately, despite its attempt to set up for subsequent installments. I found it interesting that the full title of this work includes the term noir. I can see how there are some elements of noir and an attempt was made, but by traditional standards, it's not quite there and could certainly be punched up more to more fully live up to that name.
Harry Costello works as a gaslight attendant after he comes back from fighting in the war. His job allows him to scout houses he can steal from with his brother George. It's after one of his jobs that the "tax collector" for the Little Italy mob boss comes to the Costello's to extort their "earnings" from them. Harry is rather quick-tempered and formulates a plan, with the help of local bartender and love interest Isabella, to remove his problem. Harry's actions catch the eye of the boss of Little Italy and earns him a job as an enforcer for the mob.
Within the text, there were issues in consistency of punctuation usage, namely in quotation marks. The narrative paints the scene relatively well, but the entire narrative is rather abbreviated in its scope of what actually takes place in comparison with the language associated with it. Events all built up to the climax that just sort of happened all too quickly and fizzled out immediately, despite its attempt to set up for subsequent installments. I found it interesting that the full title of this work includes the term noir. I can see how there are some elements of noir and an attempt was made, but by traditional standards, it's not quite there and could certainly be punched up more to more fully live up to that name.
April 20, 2015
Harry and George Costello live in London in the 1920’s. Post war, they work as lamplighters. George weaseled out of serving but Harry did his patriotic duty. They are also thieves. Lighting the street lamps allows them to case houses and to make sure the street of the one they choose to rob is conveniently dark; it’s not perfect but it works for them. Harry is the brains and George the muscle.
But then the local Italian protection racket wants a share; and it’s a hefty one.
And Harry comes up with a plan
***
This was a free ebook from Mark Dawson’s site.
An easy read. Nicely detailed but it is meant to set the characters, the Costellos and Harry’s new girl Bella, up for later novels.
Dude… if you are going to beat up the local mafia, try not to shout your brother’s name out all the time… George - always the dumb one.
But then the local Italian protection racket wants a share; and it’s a hefty one.
And Harry comes up with a plan
***
This was a free ebook from Mark Dawson’s site.
An easy read. Nicely detailed but it is meant to set the characters, the Costellos and Harry’s new girl Bella, up for later novels.
Dude… if you are going to beat up the local mafia, try not to shout your brother’s name out all the time… George - always the dumb one.
March 28, 2016
Another hit from the amazing Mark Dawson--a prequel to The Soho Noir Thriller series. I read The Black Mile some time ago, and now need to go back and pick up what I missed--or have forgotten. In this entry we see the beginnings of the Costello crime family in post WW1 Soho. Hero Harry is back from the war in a dead-end job as a lamp lighter. Or is it dead end? Prowling the night has its advantages, especially when the job introduces him and brother George to the chance to nick-off a well-to-family But what happens next...Shades of the young Michael Corleone. George may be the roughneck and Harry the thinker in thee family, but clearly Harry has the upper hand in balls-to-the-walls action when opportunity knocks. If you're a Mark Dawson, don't miss this one.
November 26, 2014
I was immediately drawn into this world by the rich descriptions of the people, and environment. This was my first book by Mr. Dawson, and I loved it. I have many of his books snuggled and waiting on the kindle to be read. I was happily surprised at many points. The characters didn't always follow your immediate line if thinking. Unusual choices were made and I found myself slipping into the story, not quite sure where it would go. I can't wait to see how their saga continues and what other stories I'll get lost in. A fan is born.
March 3, 2015
I thought that the book was adequate. My lack of enthusiasm is probably tempered by this is not my usual genre combined with the fact that it was a shorter story - and I often find that stories that are too short sometimes have to sacrifice in character development. It's not a bad book by any sense, but nor do I think it's a great book either. I think that I'd try reading one of the author's longer pieces to give it a fair shake.
June 8, 2015
Harry returns to London in 1920 after the Horrors of WW1, the country is ungrateful he has no Job,Money or any prospects. Desperate he jumps at the chance to rob a house. Harry and his Brother Frank find themselves being Blackmailed by a local Hood. They decide to take care of the problem themselves. All of London's Underworld is in thrall with the man's Boss so there plan is either incredibly smart or the stupidest thing they could of done. A truly fascinating read.
October 3, 2016
An interesting preface to his earlier written books: The Black Mile and especially The Imposter!
Getting a look at the men who set things in motion for the later books adds another layer, or perspective perhaps, behind their actions learned about later on. An additional look at London before its destruction from WWII, adds more color and life to the area described. As always, Mr. Dawson can quickly paint vivid and realistic backgrounds for his believable characters.
Getting a look at the men who set things in motion for the later books adds another layer, or perspective perhaps, behind their actions learned about later on. An additional look at London before its destruction from WWII, adds more color and life to the area described. As always, Mr. Dawson can quickly paint vivid and realistic backgrounds for his believable characters.
August 20, 2014
I started the Soho Noir series in the wrong order. This is the real first book, well novella, and I must say that it's a great introduction to the three. If you've read The Black Mile, you'll recognize the Costello family and if you haven't, it doesn't matter much either. It's a great little stand alone story about how the Costellos started their career in crime and I liked it a lot.
March 14, 2014
More of a novella than a novel. Rattles along at a tremendous pace with well drawn characters and a realistic portrayal of the period following WW1. The ending came as a disappointment simply because I wanted to know what happened next - hence looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 19, 2016
I really really wanted to like this more. The writing is good and the characters were full... I just had a hard time getting into it. I had to push myself to finish, and I'm not sure why. I just didn't feel connected to it.
December 20, 2014
I recently enjoyed reading a short novella by Mark Dawson called Gaslight. It gave me a new perspective on how hard it was for an ordinary soldier, returning from fighting in World War I, to find a decent-paying job. Sometimes it's just easier to become a criminal!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews