Arcadia

by Guy Portman

A Psychopath’s Guide to Paradise.

Teenager Horatio has only just moved to Antigua, but already he’s making enemies. A crazed local youth is jealous of his new girlfriend, and hostile resident police suspect him of selling drugs to tourists.

Throw in school, a bossy step-grandmother, plus weekends toiling in a launderette, and little wonder the idyllic island is proving to be no holiday.

With his love-rival seeking vengeance, law enforcement tightening their noose, and the family growing suspicious of their British relative, the audacious adolescent has got a lot of balls to juggle. How on earth will he find time to kill again?

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2024

About the author

As far back as anyone can remember Guy has been an introverted creature, with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and a sardonic sense of humour.

Throughout a childhood in London spent watching cold war propaganda gems such as He Man, an adolescence confined in various institutions, and a career that has encompassed stints in academic research and the sports industry, Guy has been a keen if somewhat cynical social observer.

Humour of the sardonic variety is a recurring theme in Guy’s writing. His first novel, 'Charles Middleworth', is an insightful tale of the unexpected. Like the author, the protagonist in 'The Necropolis Series' is a darkly humorous individual – though, unlike the author, he is a sociopath.

Guy is a dedicated blogger and an avid reader. Reviews of the books he has read can be found in the review section of his blog.

Click on my website link below and get 'Mangetout' for FREE.

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Reviews

[Alyson Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

We rejoin Horatio Robinson arriving in Antigua with his mother while his sister Shaneeka stays at home to attend college. They are staying with his grandfather Bevis and step-grandmother Genevieve, and he meets his cousin Dougal again plus Genevieve’s son Carlton and Carlton’s young daughter Gloria. Horatio’s mother is having some time out after the events of book 1, including the death of “Fool’s Gold” (something Horatio was rather instrumental in!). Horatio finds himself going to a new school where he enjoys his lessons, particularly maths and cricket, and is working at his grandfather’s launderette on Saturdays (not so enjoyable), but has already gained a girlfriend, local girl Dalilah, and a lucrative sideline supplying holiday makers with drugs bought from the local dealer. However, he has made one enemy in the form of local loser Javel, who is also keen on Dalilah and who is intent on stirring up trouble for Horatio, meaning the local police are now on his back. Horatio overhears a conversation between the adults discussing his father, Dyson Devereux, who apparently disappeared when Horatio was five but eventually his mother confesses that Dyson was killed. A search of the internet reveals Dyson and an Albanian man shot each other after the Albanian killed another woman and Horatio’s curiosity is piqued. Having already demonstrated in book 1 that he is definitely a chip off the old block, how long will it be before Horatio displays his dark murderous side again?
I love Horatio!! Whilst clearly being a dangerous and sociopathic individual, there is a charming simplicity about him and his thought processes. Readers of this author’s books will remember Dyson Devereux and see that Horatio is fast turning out to be his father’s son. I would definitely say read book 1 first as you will get to know the history behind Horatio’s first killing and his rather peculiar way of viewing the world. There’s plenty of humour in this darkly comic tale, some maths sums for those inclined (I was amazed I could remember how to solve them!) and an exciting conclusion, ending again with the gripping words “To Be Continued”!! With an idea what’s to come, I am dearly looking forward to “Cognizance”, the next instalment in Horatio’s story.

[Lauren Sapala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this latest book in the Emergence series! I’m a HUGE fan of Dyson Devereux, but I might like his son, Horatio, even better. Horatio is my favorite type of anti-hero, he’s so intelligent and he makes so many sharp and cutting observations regarding the dolts around him, that you can’t help but root for him to come out victorious over all of them. Every time I read a book in this series (and in the previous Necropolis series) I find myself eagerly looking forward to it when one of the more idiotic characters is offed in a manner befitting their unique brand of stupidity.

I also loved the setting of Arcadia, which takes place in Antigua, a radical departure from the other books in the series, which are all set in the UK. It was so interesting to get the little details of day-to-day life on this obscure little island that seems to have equal amounts of rich tourists with money to burn, and also a dilapidated sort of poverty that has overrun the rest of the community. I really liked how we got an inside view of the dialect used among native Antiguans, and what school and sports looks like as well, through the eyes of our teenaged narrator, Horatio. I felt like I was actually there much of the time while reading, totally immersed in seeing the gorgeous blue waters of the tropical seas, and feeling the hot and humid atmosphere that seemed ever-present. The description of Antigua throughout the story was just so well done.

I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of transgressive fiction, serial killer fiction, as well as anyone who likes a good suspense/thriller set in the tropics!

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horatio’s first outing in this series was very much “like father like son” but in this second book the changes are starting to appear. The thinking on the spot, the intelligence, the not caring if he fits in and the willingness to kill are all there but Horatio’s need to kill is far greater. Horatio’s dad always had a reason to kill and maybe it is because Horatio is younger, but he is happy to kill if the opportunity arrives….and boy did he have many of those whilst in Antigua.

After the events of the first book Horatio and his mum have gone to live with family in Antigua, it is a massive upheaval that Horatio takes in his stride, working hard at a launderette, doing well at school, making enemies and causing just a touch of chaos. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and I think Horatio as now overtaken his father as my favourite killer. I love how his mind wanders towards the darkness whilst still focusing on conversations around him, nothing phases him. I also like how Portman has this ability to welcome the reader into the mind of a killer and leave you wondering why people seem to be so suspicious, everything is normal here.

Portman’s writing is superb, an author that never lets you down, but I do feel he needs to up the ante a bit, Horatio is too in control, I wanna see this lad sweat a bit…the ending potentially lines up his next challenge and I wonder if our friendly psychopath has met his match.

Highly recommend this fun series, make sure you start with the first trilogy though as this does contain spoilers for those who are new to this franchise.

Blog review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2024...

[Sam Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a complimentary copy of this novel and the review I leave is both honest and voluntary.
This is the second instalment in the series which features a psychopathic teenager with the wonderful name of Horatio. In this dark tale our hero, after being expelled from school, has moved to the beautiful island of Antiqua with his mother to live with family. Although his time is divided between school, working in the family business and a new girl friend it doesn't take long before Horatio's fiendish side shows through!
Can't wait for the next instalment to see what our hero will do next .

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Settling into a new environment surrounded by strangers, Horatio is left to fend for himself when mom goes back to the U.K. an emergency calling her home. Things start to happen, people start to wonder. A math whiz, a killer, a very well-rounded young man! Follow Horatio as he makes new friends and takes care of his enemies. No problem - yeah man. Best not to mess with his kid. Highly Recommended.

[Justin Sarginson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating book in this endearing series. For some reason, the uniqueness and sheer insanity of these stories are just tremendous fun to read.
I’m very grateful to the author for allowing me to read this prior to publication and I simply devoured it in one day.
The next generation lives on in this new book and it’s simply glorious to read and enjoy.

[Sean Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another terrifying look into the twisted and befuddlingly addictive mind of our young psychopath. I can't help but feel that there's a lot more to come and can't help but wonder just how long he can keep at it!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horatio is both amusing and terrifying at the same time. I love these books, such an insight into the mind of someone who thinks very, very differently!