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Lockwood: A Hull gangland love story
Gaz Lockwood is a tough kid, but he's not cocky like other bouncers. He looks after people. Way back, he tried to look after his mam before she ended up in a box, and they put him in care. Our Dave gets him to drive sometimes because the lad can handle himself and he knows how to keep his mouth shut.
With Leatherhead on holiday, things are changing. There's a Bransholme gang shifting weed and whatnot all over the city on mopeds, and a Leeds firm are trying it on with Our Dave.
Gaz has got into the wrong business for a young fella like him. It's protection. He’s looking after a working girl because the firm know they can trust him, and then use him as well.
Kate works at the library on Chants Ave. She doesn't look old enough, but back in the day it was a bottle of sherry every afternoon before the pub. She's doing a master’s in counselling these days. She's been through enough to know a few things.
You wouldn't put them together. Not in a million years.
Not unless you were Our Dave.
With Leatherhead on holiday, things are changing. There's a Bransholme gang shifting weed and whatnot all over the city on mopeds, and a Leeds firm are trying it on with Our Dave.
Gaz has got into the wrong business for a young fella like him. It's protection. He’s looking after a working girl because the firm know they can trust him, and then use him as well.
Kate works at the library on Chants Ave. She doesn't look old enough, but back in the day it was a bottle of sherry every afternoon before the pub. She's doing a master’s in counselling these days. She's been through enough to know a few things.
You wouldn't put them together. Not in a million years.
Not unless you were Our Dave.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2024
About the author
Chris Speck
28 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.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 22, 2024
Another Gritty Triumph
LOCKWOOD by Chris Speck explores the sleazy underbelly of Hull and revisits some established characters from his book Avenue Cars while following the story of a quiet young man caught up in the seedy world of a larger criminal fraternity.
Brooding stuff, yet it’s leaves you optimistic, showing there is love, loyalty and hope in the darkest of places.
A brilliant read!
LOCKWOOD by Chris Speck explores the sleazy underbelly of Hull and revisits some established characters from his book Avenue Cars while following the story of a quiet young man caught up in the seedy world of a larger criminal fraternity.
Brooding stuff, yet it’s leaves you optimistic, showing there is love, loyalty and hope in the darkest of places.
A brilliant read!
February 17, 2024
Brilliant second book I loved it
February 7, 2024
Omg I finished avenue cars 2 I’m still feeling a bit emotional over it - I feel like I know Gaz I’ve worked with so many kids like him over the years he’s a great character. I like that we get some updates on the characters from avenue cars 1 and the end hits all the feels. Chris can write a cracking story I loved the first avenue cars book and this one is even better. I think what makes it work so well Is how believable the characters are they aren’t your eastenders type of fictional gangster they’re people who often have a crappy start to life and end up making some poor choices.This is a truly absorbing story, that has some deeply emotional moments 5* from me
April 10, 2024
Very readable
I’ve read both of the Avenue Cars books and I actually enjoyed them both. I live in Hull so know the area the books are set in, plus I’d seen the author advertising them in a local FB group, which is why I read them.
The first book is a little slow to get going, and I found the characters took perhaps too long to be established, but Our Dave shone from the start.
Once I got into it, I was hooked and eagerly started this one.
Again, it was a little slow to get moving, but I stayed with it and ended up enjoying it very much. I’ll definitely be interested to read the 3rd book in the series if/once it’s written
I’ve read both of the Avenue Cars books and I actually enjoyed them both. I live in Hull so know the area the books are set in, plus I’d seen the author advertising them in a local FB group, which is why I read them.
The first book is a little slow to get going, and I found the characters took perhaps too long to be established, but Our Dave shone from the start.
Once I got into it, I was hooked and eagerly started this one.
Again, it was a little slow to get moving, but I stayed with it and ended up enjoying it very much. I’ll definitely be interested to read the 3rd book in the series if/once it’s written
August 19, 2024
Brilliant follow up
What a great follow-up book.*
I loved the main characters (good and not so good) and the story. Our Dave, and in a different way Kasia, are something else, custodians of the "community." While they play a lesser role in this book their influence is uniquely present, especially when it matters most. Gaz (Lockwood) and Kate, and Wilkinson and Lilly are new Hull characters. Gaz is a great silent type lead.
* Any book with a Hull phone box on the cover is fine by me. Thanks for the memories of people and places.
What a great follow-up book.*
I loved the main characters (good and not so good) and the story. Our Dave, and in a different way Kasia, are something else, custodians of the "community." While they play a lesser role in this book their influence is uniquely present, especially when it matters most. Gaz (Lockwood) and Kate, and Wilkinson and Lilly are new Hull characters. Gaz is a great silent type lead.
* Any book with a Hull phone box on the cover is fine by me. Thanks for the memories of people and places.
March 21, 2024
Was a great book about a young man finding out what was right and wrong. Had a great love story intertwined with some very unfortunate events for a good 'lad'. Really captured the scene of Hull well with the nice and the nasty parts of the city. Overall a good read.
January 25, 2026
Introduces a new character. Another enjoyable tale from Chris Speck. Am looking forward to the next book. I can't read them fast enough as my husband is chomping at my heels to read them, after I encouraged him to read Avenue Cars.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews