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Teeth Kicker: A dark and original debut crime thriller for fans of Mark Brandi and Matthew Spencer
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26
All he wanted was a second chance. What he got was a job that could kill him.
This blisteringly original crime thriller and exciting debut smashes Mr Inbetween, Monkey Grip and Animal Kingdom into a gutter opera on the vicious, bent and drug-laden streets of Newcastle - written by the Pushcart nominated writer and 2009 shark attack survivor
Young Vincent Silk is back in the decaying maw of Australia's Steel City after losing everything - his money, his family, his friends, even his self-respect. Determined to make amends, he's haunted by a massive debt to an unhinged loan shark who demands repayment at any cost. With no way to make good, Vincent is forced into a brutal new working as the shark's enforcer, collecting debts in a town where everyone owes someone something.
He might look big and tough but Vincent hates the violence and guilt weighs on him heavily. When his next target turns out to be Henrietta, the woman who once saved him - and someone he loves - Vincent wants to protect her, and running isn't an option. The shark would come for their families, including Vincent's younger brother, Ray.
Vincent and Ray have a difficult past, scarred by a horrific car accident that left Ray an amputee and Vincent with a metal plate in his head. As Ray spirals into his own trouble, Vincent tries desperately to solve everyone's troubles, until it all unravels, and Vincent's left with an impossible choice between the people he loves the most ...
Unless, of course, he's willing to sacrifice himself to save them all.
When you're pushed to the edge, you'll find out what you're made of.
This blisteringly original crime thriller and exciting debut smashes Mr Inbetween, Monkey Grip and Animal Kingdom into a gutter opera on the vicious, bent and drug-laden streets of Newcastle - written by the Pushcart nominated writer and 2009 shark attack survivor
Young Vincent Silk is back in the decaying maw of Australia's Steel City after losing everything - his money, his family, his friends, even his self-respect. Determined to make amends, he's haunted by a massive debt to an unhinged loan shark who demands repayment at any cost. With no way to make good, Vincent is forced into a brutal new working as the shark's enforcer, collecting debts in a town where everyone owes someone something.
He might look big and tough but Vincent hates the violence and guilt weighs on him heavily. When his next target turns out to be Henrietta, the woman who once saved him - and someone he loves - Vincent wants to protect her, and running isn't an option. The shark would come for their families, including Vincent's younger brother, Ray.
Vincent and Ray have a difficult past, scarred by a horrific car accident that left Ray an amputee and Vincent with a metal plate in his head. As Ray spirals into his own trouble, Vincent tries desperately to solve everyone's troubles, until it all unravels, and Vincent's left with an impossible choice between the people he loves the most ...
Unless, of course, he's willing to sacrifice himself to save them all.
When you're pushed to the edge, you'll find out what you're made of.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book could have easily been titled King Hit or Gut Punch. Anything that describes the brutality of this story. A story that to me had so much heart as well.
We follow Vincent as he spirals into the violent and unforgiving world of loan sharks, dirty cops, drugs and maniacal henchmen. Vincent needs to pay off his debt and finds himself in deeper trouble than he ever has been in, and much deeper than he can handle. He is at heart a gentle soul that has been dealt a shit hand.
Every time he thought maybe he was clawing his way out, he would suffer another setback and find himself sinking, beholden to his boss and far from where he wanted to be.
When his younger brother Ray becomes the target of the thugs Vincent works for, he knows he needs to sort things out, once and for all. Can he finally pull himself together and make up for the past?
Wow this story. Incredibly well written and with characters I won't forget for some time. This depraved and vicious world was so real to read but unbelievably had a soft touch at times.
Another insanely good debut novel from an Aussie author. If you like your stories dark, dirty and gritty then Teeth Kicker is for you.
We follow Vincent as he spirals into the violent and unforgiving world of loan sharks, dirty cops, drugs and maniacal henchmen. Vincent needs to pay off his debt and finds himself in deeper trouble than he ever has been in, and much deeper than he can handle. He is at heart a gentle soul that has been dealt a shit hand.
Every time he thought maybe he was clawing his way out, he would suffer another setback and find himself sinking, beholden to his boss and far from where he wanted to be.
When his younger brother Ray becomes the target of the thugs Vincent works for, he knows he needs to sort things out, once and for all. Can he finally pull himself together and make up for the past?
Wow this story. Incredibly well written and with characters I won't forget for some time. This depraved and vicious world was so real to read but unbelievably had a soft touch at times.
Another insanely good debut novel from an Aussie author. If you like your stories dark, dirty and gritty then Teeth Kicker is for you.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Yeah, Teeth Kicker knocked me out.
Sure, it's a gritty crime novel full of violence, debt collectors, and underworld bosses—but Glenn Orgias know how to level up, that story has heart.
Vincent is a recovering addict with a fundamentally good soul. He wants to make up for the damage he's done, especially to his younger brother, Ray, but every step toward redemption drags him deeper into the life he's trying to escape. You can't help but root for him.
What really sets this book apart is its humanity. There are no cardboard heroes or villains here. Everyone is broken. Everyone is carrying a difficult load. Even the hardest characters have moments that surprised me.
The writing is sharp, vivid, and authentic. Half the scenes hit like a gut-punch, the other half are insightful and thought-provoking.
If you like crime fiction with real emotional weight—stories about guilt, loyalty, family, and second chances—read this book. I was lucky enough to read Teeth Kicker before its release, and it's one of those rare novels that has stayed with me. I still catch myself thinking about Vincent.
Sure, it's a gritty crime novel full of violence, debt collectors, and underworld bosses—but Glenn Orgias know how to level up, that story has heart.
Vincent is a recovering addict with a fundamentally good soul. He wants to make up for the damage he's done, especially to his younger brother, Ray, but every step toward redemption drags him deeper into the life he's trying to escape. You can't help but root for him.
What really sets this book apart is its humanity. There are no cardboard heroes or villains here. Everyone is broken. Everyone is carrying a difficult load. Even the hardest characters have moments that surprised me.
The writing is sharp, vivid, and authentic. Half the scenes hit like a gut-punch, the other half are insightful and thought-provoking.
If you like crime fiction with real emotional weight—stories about guilt, loyalty, family, and second chances—read this book. I was lucky enough to read Teeth Kicker before its release, and it's one of those rare novels that has stayed with me. I still catch myself thinking about Vincent.
July 4, 2026
4 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Gritty, Debt Collecting, Rough Around The Edges
full review ⬇️
Wow. This sure one was great, gritty debut.
From the first page, Teeth Kicker immediately had that raw, unpolished feel that reminded me a little of Trent Dalton's writing. The characters aren't polished either and that's exactly the point. They're flawed, messy, and trying to survive in a world that doesn't make life easy.
A down on his luck drug addict paired up with a germaphobe debt collector was the storyline I didn’t realise I needed in my life. Such an unexpected combination, and one that added plenty of personality to the story.
It took a little time for me to place the era, picture the characters in my head and fully settle into the story but once everything clicked I found myself very invested.
What stood out most was Glenn Orgias' voice as a writer. For a debut novel, this feels incredibly confident and I'm genuinely excited to see what he writes next.
If you enjoy Australian crime fiction that's gritty, character driven and a little rough around the edges, this is well worth a look.
Vibe check: Gritty, Debt Collecting, Rough Around The Edges
full review ⬇️
Wow. This sure one was great, gritty debut.
From the first page, Teeth Kicker immediately had that raw, unpolished feel that reminded me a little of Trent Dalton's writing. The characters aren't polished either and that's exactly the point. They're flawed, messy, and trying to survive in a world that doesn't make life easy.
A down on his luck drug addict paired up with a germaphobe debt collector was the storyline I didn’t realise I needed in my life. Such an unexpected combination, and one that added plenty of personality to the story.
It took a little time for me to place the era, picture the characters in my head and fully settle into the story but once everything clicked I found myself very invested.
What stood out most was Glenn Orgias' voice as a writer. For a debut novel, this feels incredibly confident and I'm genuinely excited to see what he writes next.
If you enjoy Australian crime fiction that's gritty, character driven and a little rough around the edges, this is well worth a look.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Clear eyed, uncompromising and compelling, Teeth Kicker enters the Newcastle crime scene from the basement and tells its story from the underside, giving voice to the invisible casualties of a brutal, corrupt sub-sub-culture of addicts, debtors, thieves, gamblers, dealers and bottom feeder thugs. We meet Vincent, who has a goodish heart and a genius for making poor decisions, and his brother Ray, who lost an arm to one of those decisions, and seems compelled to make a few monumentally poor decisions of his own. We also meet Machine, a brilliantly realised crim with a warehouse of issues of his own. And Henrietta, who just wants to be loved for herself. Teeth Kicker is a pacy, raw, character driven crime novel with the heart of a Miles Franklin winner. If you loved Mr Inbetween and Two Hands, you're sure to find what you've been missing in Teeth Kicker.
Review of advance copy
I was so lucky to work with Glenn Orgias as a critique partner, swapping feedback on Teeth Kicker and my memoir, Delirium Vitae. Orgias is the real deal, and watching Teeth Kicker evolve was a joy--its world always vivid and lived-in. Written with a stripped-down intensity reminiscent of Hemingway and Donald Ray Pollock, while grounded, violent, and relentlessly human, Teeth Kicker is a misty-eyed crime novel with a broken nose.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a copy of this through my writing group and became aware of Glenn's work that way. Wow! I absolutely see why this author has a Pushcart nomination for his writing. Lots of twists and emotional stakes.
Review of advance copy
Gritty and full of heart, let's call this nu-pulp. Aussie crime needs a bit of a kick up the butt and this can do it.
Review of advance copy
Couldn’t put this book down.
Had me from “Walk these streets..”
Had me from “Walk these streets..”
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews