1-2-3-4

by Allan Watson

Twenty years ago, Ewan Wallace was lead singer in Solomon Grundy, a band on the threshold of the big time when a practical joke went badly wrong, resulting in a fourteen year old girl in Poland murdering three of her school friends before attempting suicide. The girl, Karina Maciek, survived in a grim east European mental hospital where she grew into a perverse, half human creature whose hobbies are electro-shock therapy, self mutilation and writing hate filled letters to Ewan. Now Karina Maciek is dying and on her way to Glasgow for revenge.

488 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2011

About the author

Allan Watson is a writer whose work leans towards the dark end of the fiction spectrum. He is the author of seven novels - Dreaming in the Snakepark, Carapace, The Garden of Remembrance, 1-2-3-4, Monochrome, Heart Swarm and Wasp Latitudes.
In between the books, Allan wrote extensively for BBC Radio Scotland, churning out hundreds of comedy sketches, in addition to being a regular contributor for the world famous 'Herald Diary'.

He occasionally masquerades as a composer/musician, collaborating with crime writer Phil Rickman in a band called Lol Robinson with Hazey Jane II whose albums have sold on four different continents (Antarctica was a hard one to crack)

Allan lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland, but has never worn the kilt or eaten a deep fried Mars Bar. He also once spent three days as a stand-in guitarist for the Bay City Rollers, but he rarely talks much about that...

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rock n Roll Never Dies -
APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE. Simply put,"1,2,3,4", is one of the best books I've read in quite some time. Allan Watson has put together a likable cast of colorful characters that include: the members of a long defunct, marginally successful Scottish rock n roll band, a reclusive artist famous for abstract renderings of female celebrities' nether parts, a power drunk crime lord, a group of sky-clad Goddess worshipers, a well meaning poltergeist, and a Wolfman. (to name only a few)I left out the sleazy politician and the autistic savant... Mix these together with an enigmatic serial killer and a few ordinary kitchen items and you have the recipe for a highly original, fast paced, sexy, smart, dark comedy that satisfies on many levels. Oh, and I wasn't kidding about the kitchen items.... You'll never look at an orange in the same way again. Highly recommended. I'd wave my lighter if I had one.

[Samantha Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

1.2.3.4 by Allan Watson

Solomon Grundy was hailed to be the next big thing. With a tune on the charts and a slot booked on Top of the Pops, success was close enough to taste.But, one disgruntled fan changed all that, bringing their careers to a screeching halt. Twenty years later the members of the band have moved on, created new lives for themselves.... Enter one serial killer / ex-fangirl with a grudge to bear, hell bent on silencing Solomon Grundy members for good, this time.
This novel hit all the right notes with me. Allan Watson has penned a dark, sexy thriller that incorporates tongue in cheek humor to soften the edges and make the already likeable characters more-so. A rollicking good time. Put this on your to read list for the new year. It's brilliant.
5 Gold Stars... Rock on Mr Watson.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE. Allan Watson has put together a likable cast of colorful characters that include: the members of a long defunct, marginally successful rock- n- roll band, a reclusive artist famous for abstract renderings of female celebrities' nether parts, a power drunk crime lord, a group of skyclad Goddess worshipers, a well meaning poltergeist, and a Wolfman. (to name a few) Mix these together with an enigmatic serial killer and a few ordinary kitchen items and you have the recipe for a highly original, fast paced, sexy, smart, dark comedy that satisfies on many levels. Oh, and I wasn't kidding about the kitchen items.... You'll never look at an orange in the same way again. Highly recommended.

[Zoe Obstkuchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this, despite it taking me 22 months to finish it! I was enjoying it but had to put it aside for other books time and time again, glad to have been able to do it justice and finish it off.
Funny, involved and strangely believable, I'll definitely read more of his writing

[Julie Goldstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting mystery thriller. Not horror. Well written, enjoyable, some strong characters. But bought as horror that's why 4 not 5.

Would recommend to all who enjoy mystery,thrillers. Have bought two other books by same author..
As authors words flow making enjoyable read.