Manchester 6

by Col Bury

Manchester 6 focuses on the best and worst of human nature, personified in the gritty urban setting of Manchester, UK, and featuring a plethora of no-nonsense characters you’d ordinarily want to avoid. The six stories highlight generally decent folk who become embroiled with the lower echelons of society, aka scumbags. Whether it’s the paranoid, spliff-sucking writer who has a falling-out online, or an ex-soldier hunting a notorious gang, there’s conflict galore. A heroic family man faces Al Qaeda and the decision of his life. Meanwhile, hell hath no fury like a window cleaner ripped-off of his Christmas tips. When you add to the mix, the luckiest gambler in town having a ball, coked up in a lap-dancing club, and an eccentric ice cream van owner who pushes ‘friendship’ beyond the limit, you know something’s got to give, and, boy, does it! This collection oozes dark wit and has more twists and turns than snake on speed.

Col Bury was born and raised in Manchester, UK, and is the crime editor of award winning ezine, Thrillers, Killers ‘n’ Chillers. In 2010, he was gobsmacked at being voted the Best Fiction Magazine Editor online, in the Preditors & Editors Readers’ Poll. His short stories can be found in anthologies, including, Even More Tonto Short Stories and The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9, and are forthcoming in many more. His fiction is scattered around the blogosphere, at the likes of A Twist Of Noir and The Flash Fiction Offensive. New York agent, Nat Sobel enjoyed Col’s online stories so much, that they’re now working together developing Col’s crime novel series, featuring the unusual cop, Jack Striker.
Col blogs, reviews, and interviews crime authors at http://colburysnewcrimefiction.blogsp...
He lives in Manchester, UK with his wonderful wife and two beautiful children, and their Golden Labrador, Riley (who lives a life of one!). When Col is not working, being a daddy, writing, reading or editing, he shoots pool or watches his beloved Manchester City FC.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2011

About the author

Col Bury is the former crime editor of award winning ezine, Thrillers, Killers ‘n’ Chillers. His short stories can be found in many anthologies, including, The Mammoth Books of Best British Crime 9, 10 & 11. His fiction is scattered around the net, at the likes of A Twist Of Noir and The Flash Fiction Offensive, as well as two short story collections on Amazon. Col is busy developing a crime novel series and hopes to 'grace' the bookshelves soon!
He lives in Manchester, UK with his wonderful wife and two beautiful children. When he's not working, being a daddy, writing, reading or editing, he shoots pool or watches his beloved Manchester City FC.

Reviews

[Richard Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Col Bury has written many stories and I can't remember reading a bad one. He uses stark imagery juxtaposed with surreal situations, the kind we see every day in large towns to create a comic and dark resonance in the reader. His new collection shows him at his best, the prose is so muscuclar there is not a single word out of place, each story is both funny and dark. Bury uses his imagery for maximum impact, while showing us the level of surreal Noir we inhabit, this is a must read.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been overwhelmed with review requests lately, I decided I needed to kick back and read some of my own purchased books, so I had a browse of my kindle and came across a name that I knew would not leave me disappointed, Col Bury.

Manchester 6 is a collection of 6 short stories (and a bonus 7th) told from various perspectives that ultimately lead to someone ending up with an undesirable conclusion -whether that is in the permanent or metaphorical sense.

The assorted plot lines reel you in from the start, some admittedly more than others, but with an ever increasing pace, the endings of each of these stories definitely leave you craving for more!

Each story is set in…Manchester…were you surprised? Or did the title of the book give it away….it would have been really funny if Mr Bury used his brilliant sense of humour and screwed with our minds by setting the tales in somewhere like…Birmingham…though he writes what he knows and he certainly gave me a sense of what the darker side of Manchester holds. Note to self: stay out of Manchester!

[Benoit Lelièvre · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as most of the stories are toe-dipping into the world of Col Bury, the last story GALLANCE is worth the price of admission alone. The narrative makes the most out of Bury's stark prose and has a terrific pace to it. There is a great future for this British writer. The only issue I have with MANCHESTER 6 is that I want more now. A lot more and there's nothing available yet. Watch out for Col Bury in the next few years. Guy can write something mean.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of short stories and wish there had been more than 6. I read 2 the first night and slowed down my reading in an attempt to savour the rest. However, they were that good, I finished the rest the following night.

He has a lovely style of writing with a talent for entwining a gritty, intriguing story line in an intelligent fashion, leaving you guessing the outcome and yearning for more.

Highly recommended reading.

[Graham Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fanastically dark, gritty and atmospheric collection of short storis from an exciting new talent.

[Karl Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Col Bury knows exactly what to do with a blank page. He pulls the reader’s head back and draws a straight razor gently across his carotid artery. Simple as that.

If you’re expecting to pick up this book and read all about autumn mists and weary rocks and caramel brown rivers and turquoise waters and babies smiling and musical brooks and the eternal war of the sea and the shore and all that other great stuff ….. well, don’t even bother. This ain’t the book for you.

Which of the stories did I like the best? Possibly ‘Forum of Fury’ because as a scribbler myself I know just how much time can be wasted on writer’s sites – God, they can be such a precious bunch, I’m always getting booted off their Facebook pages. So ‘Forum’ rang true for me, although ‘Mr Curly Top’ is also a story that draws you in

Bury has an instinctive ability to perceive and understand the world around him, and his creative potential possibly stems from a rather boisterous and raucous disposition. Perhaps I’m wrong. Either way, Manchester 6 is an excellent read, and I’ll certainly be watching out for more books by this author.

[Darren Sant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first I have read of Col Bury’s writing and I was impressed from the start. Col has a knack for squeezing a lot of action into few words. Writers have a habit sometimes of not trusting a reader to make a logical leap during a story. Not so with Bury, he trusts you to follow his thought train without a huge neon arrow pointing the way. This is in a word refreshing. A great collection and I’m looking forward to a follow up title. I’ll say a few words about each of the stories and try my best not to give anything away.

Lucky Sh*t - A jobless guys has a run of good luck which you just know is going to end badly...

Fists of Destiny - A gripping and tense story. A tale that gives an idea of the kind of narrative we could expect from a novel by Bury. An excellently related piece of fiction and my favourite of the collection.

Mr Curly Top - A playful tale with a sense of humour to it.

Forum Of Fury - A stark reminder that all actions have consequences.

Snakes 'N' Ladders - An aptly titled revenge tale.

Gallance - An action packed story and a character I'd love to see again.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of short stories and read them all pretty much in one go (with a quick trip into town in between).

I've never been a fan of short stories but find myself reading more and more of them. I find they are great when I've just finished a more meaty book and need something to "cleanse the pallet" so to speak.

I'm relatively new to crime fiction and regularly finding great new authors to add to my favourites. This author is now firmly on that list and ive already downloaded another of his books which I shall be reading shortly.

If your either a fan of short stories or "Brit Grit" or both then I would highly recommend reading this book. I personlly love Brit Grit especially based around the Manchester area where I have spent a good part of my working life thus far and where I still visit regularly.

All in all a great read - I just wish there was more of them! Heartily recommended!

[Warren Stalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having first come across the author Col Bury in the ebook compilations True Brit Grit and Action! Pulse Pounding Tales Volume One I was curious to see what else the author had to offer and so I found Manchester 6. This collection of short stories digs under the surface of city life bringing up chunks of violence and humour. The writer cleverly creates a gritty realism with a world of squalid flats, recreational drugs and vicious low-life criminals. A world where all hope is extinguished like a stubbed out cigarette. I'm sure this collection will delight any crime fiction fan who is willing to try a few short stories.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of six hardboiled, flash fiction pieces set in the city of Manchester (plus a bonus story). This is a tight, taut little collection, focusing on everyday people living on the margins in working class Manchester. The stories are short, sharp, with dark humour and crisp twists. If you like noir flash fiction - the kind you find on Shotgun Honey, Flash Fiction Offensive or Thrillers, Killers n Chillers, then you'll enjoy Manchester 6. The writing was a little raw at times, but I blasted my way through them and was left wanting more.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I have ventured into the mind and writings of Col Bury. I shall definitely return. This is a book of 6 short stories set in the 'underworld' of Manchchester and introduces you to lots of individuals who I look forward to seeing again

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved all of the stories in this e-book. I will definitely be checking out more from this author.

[Paul Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story-telling - Fists of Destiny was my favourite of these six tales from the grittier side of Manchester (is there an un-gritty side?) but all these stories are worthy of at least one read.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a bad collection of short stories.

[Rory Costello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharp and clever, with a distinct voice. Good little batch.

[Giovanni Gelati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admission I need to make before we go any further: I really had no idea that “flash fiction” could be this much fun before I got to read work from Darren Sant, Luca Veste, Sue Mydliak, McDroll, and now Col Bury (hopefully I didn’t leave anyone out, if I did excuse me, sorry).
I am not sure what possess an author to try to tell a story in such a short word count, but for these people it works and works well. I am not just curious but totally enthralled when I read this stuff. I enjoy finding new stuff to read and I think I have hit the motherload here. “Manchester 6” got right on the Amazon Kindle UK charts hours after it released and has pretty much been up there since. Currently it is in the 6 spot for short stories for the 30 day period, not too bad.
If you are looking for a grouping of stories that have edge, spunk, and plenty of hard-boiled/noir characteristics, this is your ticket. Drop the $.99 and go for the ride. This is one series you will want to keep up with.
Here you go, the synopsis and author bio:
“Manchester 6 focuses on the best and worst of human nature, personified in the gritty urban setting of Manchester, UK, and featuring a plethora of no-nonsense characters you’d ordinarily want to avoid. The six stories highlight generally decent folk who become embroiled with the lower echelons of society, aka scumbags. Whether it’s the paranoid, spliff-sucking writer who has a falling-out online, or an ex-soldier hunting a notorious gang, there’s conflict galore. A heroic family man faces Al Qaeda and the decision of his life. Meanwhile, hell hath no fury like a window cleaner ripped-off of his Christmas tips. When you add to the mix, the luckiest gambler in town having a ball, coked up in a lap-dancing club, and an eccentric ice cream van owner who pushes ‘friendship’ beyond the limit, you know something’s got to give, and, boy, does it! This collection oozes dark wit and has more twists and turns than a snake on speed.

Col Bury was born and raised in Manchester, UK, and is the crime editor of award winning Ezine, Thrillers, Killers ‘n’ Chillers. In 2010, he was gobsmacked at being voted the Best Fiction Magazine Editor online, in the Preditors & Editors Readers’ Poll. His short stories can be found in anthologies, including, Even More Tonto Short Stories and The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9, and are forthcoming in many more. His fiction is scattered around the blogosphere, at the likes of A Twist Of Noir and The Flash Fiction Offensive. New York agent, Nat Sobel enjoyed Col’s online stories so much, that they’re now working together developing Col’s crime novel series, featuring the unusual cop, Jack Striker.
Col blogs, reviews, and interviews crime authors at http://colburysnewcrimefiction.blogsp...
He lives in Manchester, UK with his wonderful wife and two beautiful children, and their Golden Labrador, Riley (who lives a life of one!). When Col is not working, being a daddy, writing, reading or editing, he shoots pool or watches his beloved Manchester City FC.”

[David Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six short stories all very good, will read more from this author.

[***®oy©e*** · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another collection of short stories filled with criminals and miscreants. Black comedy at its finest.