Davo's little something

by Robert G. Barrett

All easy-going butcher Bob Davis wanted after his divorce was to get on with his job, have a few beers with his mates, and be left alone. But this was Sydney in the early Eighties - the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic, street gangs, gay bashings and murders.
When a gang of skinheads bash Davo's old school- friend to death simply because he was gay, and leave Davo almost dead in an intensive care unit, they unleash a crazed killer onto the city streets. Before the summer had ended, over thirty corpses had turned up in the morgue, leaving two bewildered detectives to find out where they were coming from.

Davo's Little Something is not for the squeamish. Although written with lashings of black humour the action is chillingly brutal - a story of a serial killer bent on avenging himself on the street tribes of Sydney…

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Action

323 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

G’day.
You’ve no doubt read a lot of things about me and my books over the years written by other people. Well, this is the truth. I grew up in Bondi in Sydney, Australia. I went to Bondi Beach Public School then on to Randwick Boys High. I left school at 14, did a few odd jobs then a trade as a butcher, mainly in the Eastern suburbs before finally working as a boner in various meatworks around the inner city with two trips to Ross River meatworks at Townsville, Queensland thrown in. I gave up boning after a hindquarter fell on me tearing the tendons in my right arm. I always liked writing letters and reading, so while I was on worker’s compensation I did three writing courses at the WEA, Worker’s Education Authority.

Robert died of cancer at his home in Terrigal, New South Wales.

Reviews

[Anne Peachey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Davo's Little Something by Robert G. Barrett is another book that will not appeal t everyone. I really enjoyed it though.
There is a Warning on the back cover that the book contains descriptions of violence which may offend some readers.
This is true. It is quite graphic.
Bob 'Davo' Davis is an everyday Aussie bloke who works as a Butcher.
He is divorced but is an easy going larrikin who enjoys a few beers with his mates and going out to pick up sheilas.
Davo goes to a Santana Concert with an old school friend who is a renown Gay Hairdresser.
After the concert they are accosted by a gang of skinheads who bash his friend to death and leave Davo for dead.
Davo is no longer an easy going bloke.
He trains to get fit with vengeance in mind against the skinheads that bashed him and his mate.
A violent serial killer is unleashed against the skinhead gangs that are mindlessly bashing gays and anyone else they can.
Robert G. Barrett has written quite a few novels and is a popular Author.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely violent book based almost entirely on revenge. Although the early part of the book is quite flippant and humorous, this is far from the usual easygoing Les Norton offering by Robert G. Barrett. Instead a cold, calculating serial killer is on the loose, hellbent on revenge and the book is both chilling and dark.

[Charlotte Pitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly did not finish

I thought that the beginning was quite entertaining and I was really enjoying it but I found the training dragged on too long and nothing much of substance happened during that time, and I began to lose interest.

Would like to reread at some point but at the moment I can't find the enthusiasm

[Jason Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this novel almost three decades ago and when I recently rediscovered it lurking in the corner of a bookshelf I thought it would be interesting to read it again after such a long time.
Davo’s Little Something is not for everyone.
It’s a powerful and very brutal novel. What is probably most impressive it the roller coaster of emotions that you feel for the central character. At first he makes you laugh and you grow to love him, then you feel sorry him, then you can’t help but understand his appetite for revenge. But as the novel moves deeper your feelings continue to change and evolve in so many other ways. I want to avoid writing a spoiler, so I won’t say anymore on this subject.
It was great to read a Robert G. Barrett novel again. This dark novel is so very different to his other works. There are similar elements at the beginning but certainly not later.
Highly Recommended: 4.5 Stars

[Paul Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

As others have said, this book is definitely not for everybody. However, I loved it. OK, so maybe shave half a star off for some dodgy parts - Barrett, you know what you did, and all I can say is WHY??? But apart from that it is fresh, vibrant and a very rock n roll read. Think this is definitely a case of the less you know the more enjoyable it is. Totally not without it flaws, I get that. The story setup some people may say drags and the violence - needs a strong stomach, but when you look at the book as a complete work it is a work of art, why many an author - big and small could learn from. Read a fair number of books hardly any 5*'s but this one is a little something.

[Jayde Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always enjoyed the Les Norton series and my dad suggested I give this one a read. It’s definitely worth a read if these style of books are your thing. By this style I’m talking Australian, set in the 80’s and brutal.

[Charley · Rating 2 out of 5]

it all happened in the last 100 pages

[Indigo]

Violent, bloody, bloody beautiful; Bondi, Australia in the 1980s, Barrett has done something that isn't often done well: created a villain we can't help but root for. Such a terrific read. Graphic, engrossing and easily devourable. Can't wait to read more Robert G. Barrett.

[Alastair · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what you normal expect from this author. Found it a far darker and violent book than he normally had written.

[Susan Fritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, gory quick read - perfect for vacation!