Hard Cases

by Gareth Mitton

Mischief. Mayhem. Seagulls.

If you found a briefcase sitting on a city bus, would you take it?

If you found $50,000 cash inside, would you keep it?

If you could make a million for doing something truly terrible, would you do it?

Hard Cases is a fast-paced thriller set on the streets of St. John’s and escalating to a hair-raising conclusion amid the ancient fjords of Newfoundland’s west coast. A twenty-something Englishman new to the Rock, Greg, soon falls in with “The Gulls”—a gang of characters as colourful as the capital city’s famous jelly bean row houses. After finding a briefcase full of cash on a city bus, he and his misfit friends are pulled into a series of increasingly risky dares perpetrated by a mysterious, riddling benefactor. Finding a twist at every turn, the Gulls embark on a journey that tests their friendships, their loyalties, and the limits of their morality, all leading to the million-dollar Where would you draw the line?

Hard Cases has been described as a page-turning "Ocean's Eleven meets Guy Ritchie movie" with a Newfoundland twist.

323 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2024

Reviews

[Rhonda Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoilers included ! As someone from Newfoundland, and having been blessed enough to travel the island from Cape Spear to Port aux Basques throughout my life, I loved being able to picture the symbolic landmarks described throughout the book. The vivid descriptions brought a layer of authenticity and connection to the story for me for sure.

I loved that in the beginning of the book, the drivers were female characters (Mia and Mint). The way Shelley was written, I could hear the Newfoundland icon, Shelley Neville in the way her dialect was described (anyone else?). She took my heart with her when she fell to untimely demise which is my reason for 4 stars honestly. I wish she would have lived to help solve the mystery and be written into any potential sequels !

Life got in the way mid way through reading the book which is why it took me as long as it did to finish but I could have gotten through it quickly otherwise ! Enjoyed the twists, and turns you took me on throughout this !

Great job Gareth! Can’t wait to see what’s next for you.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Atlantic Canadian, I was thrilled to read Hard Cases and see Gareth Mitton bring this region to life in such an engaging and authentic way. While the Newfoundland setting adds great atmosphere, it's the quality of the writing and the gripping storyline that truly stand out. Mitton expertly crafts a thrilling tale of moral choices and escalating danger as Greg Masters and his crew are pulled into a series of risky dares that test their limits.

The plot is fast-paced, full of twists and turns that kept me hooked until the very last page. Mitton’s writing is sharp and polished, with moments of tension perfectly balanced with insightful character development. The stakes felt real, and I found myself constantly questioning what I would do in their situation.

This book is not just a thrill ride, but a thoughtful exploration of ethics and loyalty. For anyone who loves well-written, high-stakes thrillers with depth, Hard Cases is an absolute must-read.

[Krista Noftall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gareth Mitton’s Hard Cases is a gripping thriller that not only delivers suspense but also excels in creating deeply relatable characters that feel like friends by the end. The story follows Greg, a young Englishman whose life takes a dramatic turn after discovering a briefcase full of cash on a St. John’s city bus, pulling him into the world of “The Gulls”. These hooligans are a lively bunch, and their personalities are reminiscent of Newfoundland’s rich culture. Mitton’s sharp writing is perfectly complemented by his gift for character development, making Greg’s moral dilemmas and the bonds he forms with others feel strikingly real. With its fast-paced plot, unexpected twists, and emotional depth, Hard Cases is a must-read that leaves you thinking about the characters long after you turn the last page!

[James Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3 stars for this better-than-expected suspenseful novel about a group of gormless twenty-somethings who find a briefcase of money with a riddle to solve and for which they get more money. Who is behind it all though?

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the one liners the author used in this book.

[Harold Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not like the last two pages!