Teesside Steal

Nick Guymer #1

by John Nicholson

Nick Guymer’s life is a total mess. His dad has just died, he’s being made bankrupt, he’s getting evicted, his girlfriend has left him and Middlesbrough are 2-0 down in the UEFA Cup.
But there’s a way out. His father has bequeathed him a huge inheritance, if only he can find out where it is.
As he tries to repair his relationship with Julie and deal with the ghosts of his dysfunctional upbringing, he discovers his dad isn’t the man he thought he was. Soon it becomes obvious something very strange has happened and Nick begins to doubt that his dad is even dead at all. As he searches for the truth, he is plunged into a world of theft, greed and brutal murder. Soon, as the Boro play a huge European game, he will have to fight for his and Julie’s life on the windswept sand dunes of Saltburn.

Teesside Steal is set in Teesside and North Yorkshire and is the first in the Nick Guymer series of mysteries.
It is a story of upbringing, inheritance and UEFA Cup football.

Genres: Crime

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2013

Reviews

[Nick Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of a mixed bag. Aspects of it, such as the odd punctuation error or amateurish phrasing (it just backed up the slightly 'self published' feeling of the book) grated slightly, and there was an overall lack of consistency with the whole novel - some parts natural and flowing, other parts feeling bogged-down with excessive explanation or dealt with in insufficient detail. On the other hand, I did get quite a lot of enjoyment from my familiarity with both the setting/context and also with how the main character reacted (as a man of not wholly dissimilar nature myself). Certain sections were inspired and there was a very realistic nature running through the book, a digression from the normal nature of more polished crime thrillers which I found quite likeable. Yes, there was a certain messiness about the plot and how it was resolved, but this tale of Nick Guymer piecing together the mysteries surrounding his father's death did overall overcome a first-leg deficit and progress.

[Alice (Astell) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only picked this book up because I initially wanted to read something based in the area that I now live. I'm very glad that I did as I really enjoyed the meaty story line and the main character was written very well and seemed very real.

[Barry Cooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this because it is set around the Teesside area where I live. However, as someone else has commented it does not appear to have been proof read and there are a lot of elementary mistakes. Also the author tends to go into too much descriptive detail of the area. At times I felt I was reading Mr Nicholsons biography and wondered why I hadn't bumped into him before as I have frequented most of the drinking holes he mentions in the book.

[Amelia.S]

Teesside Steal is a gritty, emotionally charged mystery that captures the pulse of Northern England through a story of loss, loyalty, and buried secrets. John Nicholson paints a vivid portrait of Nick Guymer a man standing at the crossroads of desperation and redemption as he’s drawn into a dangerous search for truth following his father’s death. The novel balances sharp suspense with a deep emotional core, exploring how grief and greed can twist the boundaries between justice and survival. With its raw depiction of working-class life, its atmospheric setting in Teesside and North Yorkshire, and its haunting sense of realism, Teesside Steal delivers a powerful blend of crime, heart, and humanity. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page a reminder that some truths, once unearthed, can never be buried again.

[Steve Cripwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. Initially, I found it a bit hard going but once settled into the characters it was a good read. Mainly because I know the area where the book is set and I also know what it's like to follow a football team that continually disappoints every year. (Not Middlesborough though). I look forward to reading others in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

I downloaded this book due to me living in Teesside. I didn't have any expectations, I just knew I'd enjoy the familiarity of reading about my local area. The book was a brilliant read, down to earth, witty and with relatable characters. Highly recommended!

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the end this turned out better than expected. Firstly I find it off-putting when books have that bright white paper instead of a richer-looking cream and since I live just down the road from Stockton I know it's not called Stockton-on-Tees all the bloody time, especially by someone born there. The obsession with roads - routes and numbers - was irritating as were the several punctuation errors. The blokeyness of it I could live with; ditto the football.

BUT it did tell, eventually, a good tale, did keep up the tension reasonably well and eventually I even began to think Nick Guymer not such a waste of space after all.

[Judith Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable story, all the better as I am an adopted Teessider; I would have given it 5 stars if the proof reader had done a better job - lots of very annoying grammatical errors and spellings. Don't let that put you off, though!

[Sue W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am ready to start book 4 in this series of books and they are getting better and better. Great mystery stories revolving round an ordinary guy which makes them so 'real'. Living in Teesside, where the books are set, did draw me to them originally but that doesn't matter now.

[Pat Stearman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now this is weird - I've read books set in places I know before and that's always fun, but this is so close to home (Norton, Fairfield ...) that it was almost distracting.
That said, it's a nicely written book, with an intriguing storyline and attractive characters. Will read the rest!