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To Be Frank
Fifty-something newspaper columnist, Frank Savage, pens a controversial piece calling for dogs and babies to be banned from cafés as his swansong to journalism. Instead of being dismissed, the column catapults him to stardom—and into further trouble.
On a night out, Frank spots his arch-enemy, Brewster, 56—an apparently reformed racist, homophobic football hooligan turned drug dealer, now a respected figure in the local community—whom he blames for his brother’s death.
This coincides with the arrival of his eldest daughter, Naomi, whom Frank hasn’t seen for years. A genius with numbers, she works for an organised crime syndicate in London, headed by the Wise One, but is desperate to break free and go straight. The Syndicate places Naomi in the seaside town of Portobello, Edinburgh, to work alongside Brewster, overseeing their money laundering operation.
As Naomi and Frank grow closer and begin to heal old wounds, neither realises they are both hiding secrets that would devastate the other.
On a night out, Frank spots his arch-enemy, Brewster, 56—an apparently reformed racist, homophobic football hooligan turned drug dealer, now a respected figure in the local community—whom he blames for his brother’s death.
This coincides with the arrival of his eldest daughter, Naomi, whom Frank hasn’t seen for years. A genius with numbers, she works for an organised crime syndicate in London, headed by the Wise One, but is desperate to break free and go straight. The Syndicate places Naomi in the seaside town of Portobello, Edinburgh, to work alongside Brewster, overseeing their money laundering operation.
As Naomi and Frank grow closer and begin to heal old wounds, neither realises they are both hiding secrets that would devastate the other.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 28, 2025
7 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 4, 2025
To Be Frank is a sharp, darkly comic crime thriller set in Portobello, Edinburgh, that blends satire, family drama, and the gritty realities of organised crime. Frank Savage, a fifty-something journalist, thinks his career is over when he pens a controversial column about banning dogs and babies from cafés. Instead, the piece propels him into unexpected notoriety and back into a world of old grudges and new dangers.
A chance encounter with his lifelong enemy Brewster—once a racist football hooligan, now a supposedly reformed community figure—forces Frank to confront past trauma tied to his brother’s death. At the same time, Frank’s estranged daughter Naomi reappears. Brilliant with numbers but trapped in a London crime syndicate, she is sent to Edinburgh to launder money under Brewster’s supervision. As father and daughter attempt to rebuild their fractured bond, they both hide devastating secrets that threaten to unravel everything.
Kevan Christie’s writing captures the seaside Edinburgh setting with authenticity and flair, balancing humor and grit. Frank is a wonderfully sardonic, flawed protagonist whose dry wit makes him instantly engaging, while Naomi’s struggle to break free from the criminal world adds emotional depth. Themes of redemption, family, secrecy, and betrayal are woven seamlessly into a fast-paced, character-driven story.
With its mix of dark humor, local color, and suspense, To Be Frank will appeal to readers who enjoy crime fiction with heart, especially fans of Mark Billingham or Mick Herron. A fresh, entertaining, and memorable read.
Highly recommended.
A chance encounter with his lifelong enemy Brewster—once a racist football hooligan, now a supposedly reformed community figure—forces Frank to confront past trauma tied to his brother’s death. At the same time, Frank’s estranged daughter Naomi reappears. Brilliant with numbers but trapped in a London crime syndicate, she is sent to Edinburgh to launder money under Brewster’s supervision. As father and daughter attempt to rebuild their fractured bond, they both hide devastating secrets that threaten to unravel everything.
Kevan Christie’s writing captures the seaside Edinburgh setting with authenticity and flair, balancing humor and grit. Frank is a wonderfully sardonic, flawed protagonist whose dry wit makes him instantly engaging, while Naomi’s struggle to break free from the criminal world adds emotional depth. Themes of redemption, family, secrecy, and betrayal are woven seamlessly into a fast-paced, character-driven story.
With its mix of dark humor, local color, and suspense, To Be Frank will appeal to readers who enjoy crime fiction with heart, especially fans of Mark Billingham or Mick Herron. A fresh, entertaining, and memorable read.
Highly recommended.
September 18, 2025
To be Frank is an excellent crime thriller. It has a plot that I'd describe as a page turner. It is also very funny and engaging.
The characters are extremely well portrayed, and you find yourself rooting for Frank throughout. The variety of characters that crop up never fail to be thoroughly entertaining.
Edinburgh in general and Portobello in particular are also stars of the novel. I also enjoyed a little look under the bonnet of journalism and how it's rapidly changing.
Can't wait to read about Frank's future adventures.
I think fans of Christopher Brookmyre will love Kevan's debut novel.
The characters are extremely well portrayed, and you find yourself rooting for Frank throughout. The variety of characters that crop up never fail to be thoroughly entertaining.
Edinburgh in general and Portobello in particular are also stars of the novel. I also enjoyed a little look under the bonnet of journalism and how it's rapidly changing.
Can't wait to read about Frank's future adventures.
I think fans of Christopher Brookmyre will love Kevan's debut novel.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews