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Jammed Up: A Debt Goes Bad Novella
Alternate Cover Edition: B01F3VC49A
Loyalty. Betrayal. Injustice.
A rudeboy never forgets. It’s been ten long years and ‘Jam’ has been working his way through a list of men who tormented his best-friend, Jabba. Now there’s only one name left to cross off…
When he takes an easy lookout job for criminal entrepreneur, Herbert Long, he knows something’s not quite right. Knock-off gear and bent coppers have never been his bag, but the money’s good and he doesn’t want to live with his aunt forever. All he has to do is get down to the depot, watch a handover and report back what he sees. Little does he know what he’s getting himself and Jabba in to.
He’s not the only one nervous about the deal, DI Terence Pinner needs this to go off smoothly to settle a debt that has him enslaved to South London gangster Raymond Riggs. But with so many people involved and serious money at stake, things get messy very quickly.
Out of his depth and up against an organised criminal gang, Jam has to learn fast to stay alive. But if there's one thing that keeps him going, it's thoughts of sweet revenge...
Loyalty. Betrayal. Injustice.
A rudeboy never forgets. It’s been ten long years and ‘Jam’ has been working his way through a list of men who tormented his best-friend, Jabba. Now there’s only one name left to cross off…
When he takes an easy lookout job for criminal entrepreneur, Herbert Long, he knows something’s not quite right. Knock-off gear and bent coppers have never been his bag, but the money’s good and he doesn’t want to live with his aunt forever. All he has to do is get down to the depot, watch a handover and report back what he sees. Little does he know what he’s getting himself and Jabba in to.
He’s not the only one nervous about the deal, DI Terence Pinner needs this to go off smoothly to settle a debt that has him enslaved to South London gangster Raymond Riggs. But with so many people involved and serious money at stake, things get messy very quickly.
Out of his depth and up against an organised criminal gang, Jam has to learn fast to stay alive. But if there's one thing that keeps him going, it's thoughts of sweet revenge...
Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2016
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15 people want to read
About the author
Steven Hayward
2 books30 followersI'm a financial crime consultant who suddenly decided some time ago that my dream was to write fiction. My debut novel, Mickey Take, features an ex-banker who throws in the towel on his "big" City job, but that's where the similarity ends. Between writing crime thrillers and volunteering as the financial controller of the annual New Ways Advent Ball (newways.org.uk), I periodically venture back into the London commuter scene. In contrast, Michael Field, the protagonist and primary narrator of Mickey Take, is perhaps less likely to resume his career in financial services anytime soon!
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 20, 2016
What a little Gem this book is. I loved the first novel, Mickey Take, and Steven Hayward has stepped up to the plate and hit a home run with this novella too. Some of the characters were in the last book so I dropped into the story very easily. The more I have read about Herb the more he has grown on me, I am becoming quite fond of him, but Mac continues to frighten the living daylights out of me.
Each novel has been the story of the person in the title, Mickey and now Jam and how their interactions with the feuding gangsters and crooked police influences and changes their lives. All very clever stuff.
This is going to be a very compelling series. (well I really hope that there will be more). I highly recommend both books. Awesome.
Each novel has been the story of the person in the title, Mickey and now Jam and how their interactions with the feuding gangsters and crooked police influences and changes their lives. All very clever stuff.
This is going to be a very compelling series. (well I really hope that there will be more). I highly recommend both books. Awesome.
May 11, 2016
My first ever Steven Hayward book.
I realise there is another book before this which possibly would have helped me to understand the characters more, however it was a really good read
Jammed Up is based on Jam, a young man with a troubled past who whilst working for Herb as a lookout finds this apparently simple job becoming far more complicated. Out of the many characters I found Jam to be my favourite, hard nosed maybe but there is loyalty there and a far softer side to him brought out by Siobhan the local cafe waitress.
I enjoyed this novella very much but to get the complete feel of the characters you should read them in order. The first book in this series is Mickey Take
With thanks to Steven Hayward and The Book Club for the opportunity to read this in advance in return for an honest review
I realise there is another book before this which possibly would have helped me to understand the characters more, however it was a really good read
Jammed Up is based on Jam, a young man with a troubled past who whilst working for Herb as a lookout finds this apparently simple job becoming far more complicated. Out of the many characters I found Jam to be my favourite, hard nosed maybe but there is loyalty there and a far softer side to him brought out by Siobhan the local cafe waitress.
I enjoyed this novella very much but to get the complete feel of the characters you should read them in order. The first book in this series is Mickey Take
With thanks to Steven Hayward and The Book Club for the opportunity to read this in advance in return for an honest review
May 11, 2016
What a fab book this is. I really enjoyed it. Very likeable characters, in particular Jam who was my favourite. This book keeps you on your toes from start to finish and its a well deserved 5 stars from me. Many thanks to the author and TBC for the ARC.
June 6, 2016
Jammed Up is a novella of the gangster genre.
I have to admit that I find novels with gangster storyline's slightly hard to stomach if there is a lot of violence in them but luckily for me, even if there is some violence in it, there wasn't enough to put me off reading more.
At 200 pages it isn't a short novella so you still get plenty of story for your money and I didn't feel short changed at the end of it, which sometimes I end up feeling with some novellas as I feel like it has either been rushed or there is not enough back ground for me to get to know the characters enough. Luckily the author has it all covered and has written a well rounded story that left me feeling fulfilled.
There are quite a few characters though the main one seemed to be Jam. Jam is very distinctive due to his accent which I did find slightly annoying as I kept trying to read it in a different accent in my head if that makes sense and it just didn't sound right. Even though he is on the wrong side of the law, you can't help liking him as he is quite a character but one that has a big heart.
I also liked Herb (Herbert), he is one of those characters that has an air of suspense around them and I was instantly drawn to his character as I was intrigued as to exactly who he is and wanted to know more.
Jammed Up is an enjoyable read with characters I would like to see more of.
I have to admit that I find novels with gangster storyline's slightly hard to stomach if there is a lot of violence in them but luckily for me, even if there is some violence in it, there wasn't enough to put me off reading more.
At 200 pages it isn't a short novella so you still get plenty of story for your money and I didn't feel short changed at the end of it, which sometimes I end up feeling with some novellas as I feel like it has either been rushed or there is not enough back ground for me to get to know the characters enough. Luckily the author has it all covered and has written a well rounded story that left me feeling fulfilled.
There are quite a few characters though the main one seemed to be Jam. Jam is very distinctive due to his accent which I did find slightly annoying as I kept trying to read it in a different accent in my head if that makes sense and it just didn't sound right. Even though he is on the wrong side of the law, you can't help liking him as he is quite a character but one that has a big heart.
I also liked Herb (Herbert), he is one of those characters that has an air of suspense around them and I was instantly drawn to his character as I was intrigued as to exactly who he is and wanted to know more.
Jammed Up is an enjoyable read with characters I would like to see more of.
June 14, 2016
Thank you TBC for this ARC in return for an honest review. From the first page, I thought this sounds like my nearest underground station and I was correct!! I loved how they used South Woodford as a crime area; not the usual boring area I know.
I loved how the characters developed and even though it was a crime story, they were believable. Against all odds they'd forged a loving and caring relationship. I loved the brotherly bond that Jam and Jabba had.
I think I need to read the first book to find out more about these characters.
I loved how the characters developed and even though it was a crime story, they were believable. Against all odds they'd forged a loving and caring relationship. I loved the brotherly bond that Jam and Jabba had.
I think I need to read the first book to find out more about these characters.
May 26, 2016
Thank you TBC on Fb and Steven Hayward the author for my arc.
After reading a few other genres lately, this one was brilliant for putting me right back into this one.
Had me hooked from the beginning.Filled with a mix of well thought out characters, both the good people and the bad. They were well developed with a depth that was believeable and true to life.
A fabulous book that is fast paced and well written. would highly recommend to anyone. This is my first Steven Hayward, but definitely not the last.
After reading a few other genres lately, this one was brilliant for putting me right back into this one.
Had me hooked from the beginning.Filled with a mix of well thought out characters, both the good people and the bad. They were well developed with a depth that was believeable and true to life.
A fabulous book that is fast paced and well written. would highly recommend to anyone. This is my first Steven Hayward, but definitely not the last.
September 4, 2016
Although this is described as a Novella it is over 200 pages which I devoured in one sitting. I had read the first book in the series and so I was familiar with some of the characters. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to stick with it as the London street talk took a bit of getting used to, don't be put off by this you do get into it and it doesn't spoil the book. Its set in and around a gangland culture but it is cleverly written and the violence is not over described and is necessary to the plot. I look forward to Stevens next book.
May 22, 2016
I read and enjoyed "Mickey Take", Steven Haywards debut novel so I was delighted to recieve this as an ARC from TBC.
The main character, Jam, is out for revenge. He's a baddie and a goodie, if that makes sense! He's very loyal to his friends, especially Jabba, who is 'slow'.
All the characters were very true to life. They had depth and most had good as well as bad qualities.
This is a fast moving, gripping and very enjoyable read. I do hope there are many more in the series.
The main character, Jam, is out for revenge. He's a baddie and a goodie, if that makes sense! He's very loyal to his friends, especially Jabba, who is 'slow'.
All the characters were very true to life. They had depth and most had good as well as bad qualities.
This is a fast moving, gripping and very enjoyable read. I do hope there are many more in the series.
June 1, 2016
Really clever story that moves with a good pace, the characters all work well together with a great mixture of good and bad.
And I loved the style it was written in and the language used made the story all the more believable. You feel me ?
Many thanks to Steven Hayward for the copy I received.
And I loved the style it was written in and the language used made the story all the more believable. You feel me ?
Many thanks to Steven Hayward for the copy I received.
May 31, 2016
The bad guys are the good guys, the good guys are corrupt...and the really bad guys are purely devient...what's a reader to do?!
I missed the first book in the series, "Mickey Take", and that might be the reason I found the prologue a little slow the first time I read it (although, when I re-read it, I found it much more relevant); but from the first page of the first chapter, the action very quickly gained momentum.
The introductions and backstories of the protagonist(s) are realistic in that, in real life, everyone has admirable characteristics as well as, sometimes, serious character flaws.
Herb Long (the first good, bad guy...that is to say, not exactly your most law abiding citizen, but certainly no thug) is shown to have an inescapable sense of right and wrong, even if his 'business' is a bit left of the law.
As far as "Jam" is concerned (the second good, bad guy...but who is the primary character), I was able to relate to him in a personal way, having known a number of young men like him, in 'the hood' where I once lived. Tough as nails (a bit thuggish, and a boxer to boot), bitter and bent on revenge concerning a childhood experience where his best mate was beaten and degraded...and yet with a heart of gold...you can't help but stand in his corner and cheer him on; every action he takes is understandably fitting and forgivable, especially because of his sense of loyalty to that childhood friend, Jabba, a young man who is 'slow' since birth.
Mac is just tough. He's in Herbs employ, a situation that appears to have a significant history. It is inferred that Mac is Herb's main enforcer. And yes, I agree with another reviewer...Mac can scare the daylights out of you!
Siobhan was the only character about whom I felt slightly cheated; I just wish I knew her better. Her character is like one of those people who waltzes into your life and then, just as you're really beginning to form an attachment to her, she stops visiting! A personable waitress, she meets both Jam and Herbert in the cafe where she now works, after having given up her training as a nurse (this turn of events is explained...and, at the last moment, has no small significance).
As an aside: one of my very favourite aspects of Mr. Hayward's writing style in this book is in the manner of Jam's and Jabba's dialogue...it is written "in dialect", and I could actually 'hear' them speak. Not every writer is capable of the spelling, syntax and appropriate punctuation that realistically portrays the various dialects of any given language. Hats off to this author for a job well done!
A very short summary: Herb, a gentleman to all practical appearances, seems to be in the midst of a shady operation, for which he needs a lookout...a watchguard, per se, although he has a few enforcer(s ?) on his payroll...to insure his orders are being followed.
Jam, who is, initially, a labourer working on Herb's house, stands up to Mac when he (Mac) starts bullying him and his constant companion, Jabba; tough Mac suffers a wee bit of humiliation when tough Jam proves himself to be more than a match during the ensuing altercation! It is at this time that Herb offers Jam the change of position...and we start wondering if Mac will let bygones be bygones.
It is also at this time that we begin to be introduced to the violence and perverse nature of the true criminal element of Riggs...a sadistic man who gets pleasure from forcing the most horrific pain on his wife, has at least one cop in his pocket through blackmail and who also, unbeknownst to Jam, has in his employ the last bully who assaulted Jabba as a child.
I will not go on...you need to read this book yourself. But be forewarned, it doesn't have the ideally happy ending that seems to be on the way!!
And speaking of the ending: I know there will be another followup, but I wish there had been a bit more detail on Jam's incarceration and Herb's influence or actions to help him.
Thanks so much to Steven Hayward for providing this ARC of 'Jammed Up' so that I might review it. It is a book with anger inducing violence, "Awwww!" inspiring, budding romance ( j-u-s-t enough to make it interesting) and heart racing action.
Bravo!
I missed the first book in the series, "Mickey Take", and that might be the reason I found the prologue a little slow the first time I read it (although, when I re-read it, I found it much more relevant); but from the first page of the first chapter, the action very quickly gained momentum.
The introductions and backstories of the protagonist(s) are realistic in that, in real life, everyone has admirable characteristics as well as, sometimes, serious character flaws.
Herb Long (the first good, bad guy...that is to say, not exactly your most law abiding citizen, but certainly no thug) is shown to have an inescapable sense of right and wrong, even if his 'business' is a bit left of the law.
As far as "Jam" is concerned (the second good, bad guy...but who is the primary character), I was able to relate to him in a personal way, having known a number of young men like him, in 'the hood' where I once lived. Tough as nails (a bit thuggish, and a boxer to boot), bitter and bent on revenge concerning a childhood experience where his best mate was beaten and degraded...and yet with a heart of gold...you can't help but stand in his corner and cheer him on; every action he takes is understandably fitting and forgivable, especially because of his sense of loyalty to that childhood friend, Jabba, a young man who is 'slow' since birth.
Mac is just tough. He's in Herbs employ, a situation that appears to have a significant history. It is inferred that Mac is Herb's main enforcer. And yes, I agree with another reviewer...Mac can scare the daylights out of you!
Siobhan was the only character about whom I felt slightly cheated; I just wish I knew her better. Her character is like one of those people who waltzes into your life and then, just as you're really beginning to form an attachment to her, she stops visiting! A personable waitress, she meets both Jam and Herbert in the cafe where she now works, after having given up her training as a nurse (this turn of events is explained...and, at the last moment, has no small significance).
As an aside: one of my very favourite aspects of Mr. Hayward's writing style in this book is in the manner of Jam's and Jabba's dialogue...it is written "in dialect", and I could actually 'hear' them speak. Not every writer is capable of the spelling, syntax and appropriate punctuation that realistically portrays the various dialects of any given language. Hats off to this author for a job well done!
A very short summary: Herb, a gentleman to all practical appearances, seems to be in the midst of a shady operation, for which he needs a lookout...a watchguard, per se, although he has a few enforcer(s ?) on his payroll...to insure his orders are being followed.
Jam, who is, initially, a labourer working on Herb's house, stands up to Mac when he (Mac) starts bullying him and his constant companion, Jabba; tough Mac suffers a wee bit of humiliation when tough Jam proves himself to be more than a match during the ensuing altercation! It is at this time that Herb offers Jam the change of position...and we start wondering if Mac will let bygones be bygones.
It is also at this time that we begin to be introduced to the violence and perverse nature of the true criminal element of Riggs...a sadistic man who gets pleasure from forcing the most horrific pain on his wife, has at least one cop in his pocket through blackmail and who also, unbeknownst to Jam, has in his employ the last bully who assaulted Jabba as a child.
I will not go on...you need to read this book yourself. But be forewarned, it doesn't have the ideally happy ending that seems to be on the way!!
And speaking of the ending: I know there will be another followup, but I wish there had been a bit more detail on Jam's incarceration and Herb's influence or actions to help him.
Thanks so much to Steven Hayward for providing this ARC of 'Jammed Up' so that I might review it. It is a book with anger inducing violence, "Awwww!" inspiring, budding romance ( j-u-s-t enough to make it interesting) and heart racing action.
Bravo!
August 17, 2016
First things first, I am loving the cover. Jammed up is a prequel to Mikey Take, so for those of you who have read Mickey Take will get to meet Herbert Long again. A character I wanted to know more about so I couldn't wait to get stuck into this story.And once again Steven Hayward certainly doesn't disappoint. I absolutely loved it.
So in this story we meet rude-boy Jam, its been ten long years and he has been working his way through a list of men who tormented his best friend Jabba. Taking a job with Herbert Long which he knows something is quite right. And little does he know what he is getting Jabba and himself into.
DI Terence Pinner needs to settle a debt with London gangster Raymond Riggs, but with so many people involved things could get messy quickly.
WOW what a series this is turning out to be! I found this one a quick and easy read that I simply couldn't put down. Even though it is a novella it is 200 pages long, so you get plenty of story and insight to the characters.
I enjoyed getting to know Herbert more, after reading Mickey Take I felt there was plenty more to know about him and there truly is. Being from the Black Country we don't exactly talk proper English LOL so for me I found the street dialogue easy to follow.
Jammed up can be read has a series of a standalone. If gangster genre is your cup of tea then I highly recommend this giving it 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Steven Hayward for a copy in exchange for a honest review.
So in this story we meet rude-boy Jam, its been ten long years and he has been working his way through a list of men who tormented his best friend Jabba. Taking a job with Herbert Long which he knows something is quite right. And little does he know what he is getting Jabba and himself into.
DI Terence Pinner needs to settle a debt with London gangster Raymond Riggs, but with so many people involved things could get messy quickly.
WOW what a series this is turning out to be! I found this one a quick and easy read that I simply couldn't put down. Even though it is a novella it is 200 pages long, so you get plenty of story and insight to the characters.
I enjoyed getting to know Herbert more, after reading Mickey Take I felt there was plenty more to know about him and there truly is. Being from the Black Country we don't exactly talk proper English LOL so for me I found the street dialogue easy to follow.
Jammed up can be read has a series of a standalone. If gangster genre is your cup of tea then I highly recommend this giving it 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Steven Hayward for a copy in exchange for a honest review.
June 9, 2016
Jammed up is a story of settling scores....personal and professional.
I have to admit I struggled with the book, took two attempts to read it. The start introduced all the characters (obviously) but because there were a lot of characters, it wasn't the sort of story start I could pick up and put down as I often need with two little monkeys (human not primate) to look after.
I personally didn't like the "street" dialect; I had to re-read it on occasion to make sense of it. But it fitted the characters of Jam and Jabba.
At the end I felt there were too many unanswered questions. I was left wanting closure in certain threads that the author had woven into the story.
Saying all this, it isn't a bad read. Once I got past the introduction of the masses and got used to the street dialect, I enjoyed the action and the rapport between Jam, Siobhan and Herb.
A big thank you to Steven Hayward and CrimeBookJunkie for my copy of Jammed Up in return for my honest review.
I have to admit I struggled with the book, took two attempts to read it. The start introduced all the characters (obviously) but because there were a lot of characters, it wasn't the sort of story start I could pick up and put down as I often need with two little monkeys (human not primate) to look after.
I personally didn't like the "street" dialect; I had to re-read it on occasion to make sense of it. But it fitted the characters of Jam and Jabba.
At the end I felt there were too many unanswered questions. I was left wanting closure in certain threads that the author had woven into the story.
Saying all this, it isn't a bad read. Once I got past the introduction of the masses and got used to the street dialect, I enjoyed the action and the rapport between Jam, Siobhan and Herb.
A big thank you to Steven Hayward and CrimeBookJunkie for my copy of Jammed Up in return for my honest review.
July 3, 2016
As the self-publishing industry continues to grow, the received wisdom for independent writers is to hire professional proof-readers and text editors to help polish the completed product
I suggest this advice may prove to be a two-edged sword for someone like tyro crime writer Steven Hayward, a professional financial crime consultant whose editor and enthusiastic team of ‘beta readers’ (non professional pre-readers) have not prevented overly complex plotting, unnecessarily long and unintelligible passages of south London ‘rudeboy’ (gangster) dialect and – I’m sorry to add – some poor spelling, grammar and the occasional outrageous malapropism.
Still, Jammed Up, a gruesome thriller billed as a prequel to Mickey Take: When a Debt Goes Bad… will give fans a few hours of entertaining holiday reading.
Jammed Up: a Debt Goes Bad novella is available from Kindle Edition @ $0.99
I suggest this advice may prove to be a two-edged sword for someone like tyro crime writer Steven Hayward, a professional financial crime consultant whose editor and enthusiastic team of ‘beta readers’ (non professional pre-readers) have not prevented overly complex plotting, unnecessarily long and unintelligible passages of south London ‘rudeboy’ (gangster) dialect and – I’m sorry to add – some poor spelling, grammar and the occasional outrageous malapropism.
Still, Jammed Up, a gruesome thriller billed as a prequel to Mickey Take: When a Debt Goes Bad… will give fans a few hours of entertaining holiday reading.
Jammed Up: a Debt Goes Bad novella is available from Kindle Edition @ $0.99
August 5, 2016
Jammed Up is a gripping story describing the life, of Jam, and the way he handles the shocking situations he gets into. Getting involved with Herb Long, that deals in illegal activities, he has to get the job done and survive at the same time. Having a friend named Jabba, with special needs, he feels responsible to care for him. Meeting Siobhan and falling in love with her, he became a one man army to save her. The book was hard to put down. The author did a fantastic job of coming up with ideas to keep you reading. And remember what you read, you may unexpectedly read more in upcoming Mickey Take novels, and see how Herb and Mickey are associated....
May 23, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from the author. I had not read Mickey Take but was told I could read this as a stand-alone.
This book was extremely good. It took a little while to get into the dialect of the main character Jam, but once I did I was reading it in an accent!! I adored Jam who was a 'bad' boy with a heart of gold. He looked after his friend Jabba whom he had protected from an early age. The other characters each had a great place in the storyline.
This was a novella full of fast-paced action which I would thoroughly recommend.
This book was extremely good. It took a little while to get into the dialect of the main character Jam, but once I did I was reading it in an accent!! I adored Jam who was a 'bad' boy with a heart of gold. He looked after his friend Jabba whom he had protected from an early age. The other characters each had a great place in the storyline.
This was a novella full of fast-paced action which I would thoroughly recommend.
June 3, 2016
Having being given a copy of this novella by Steven Hayward, in exchange for a honest and frank review, I was dying to get into the story of Herbs background. I read the first book, Mickey Take and was so happy to have the prequel. This story does not disappoint as I found with Steven Haywards books and I found I was back in the plot as if I was never away!! I have now found a new author, whose books keep me riveted from page one till the final word! my advice is. if you read nothing else this month read this!!! well done again Steven!!!
May 21, 2016
A great prequel that feels real with identifiable characters you get behind.The action is thick and fast as the tale unfolds.A great story to read to introduce yourself to this Authors work and will leave you wanting to read much more
May 28, 2016
a book you can not put down you are hocked from page 1 highly recommend and read mickey take another brilliant read from a brilliant author
August 24, 2016
fabulous read really enjoyed it
September 19, 2018
“Jammed Up: A Debt Goes Bad” is the second novella after “Mickey Takes ...” and I regret not having read it first, because I found it difficult to get my head around all the characters - who is bad, and who are the good ones - especially since there are a few bad cops around as well. I also battled to come to terms with Jam and Jubba’s - two school friends who find themselves suddenly on the wrong end of the law - way of speaking.
Nevertheless, the story has an excellent mix of characters, especially the two gangs who come up against each other, one being supported by a few policeman who, for reasons of their own, need extra cash. Add to this mix a lovely, caring waitress, a baby and her doting father, as well as Herb Long, who also speaks a foreign language fluently, and the reader has an edge-of-the-seat crime novel thriller to devour!
Even though this is a crime novel, I did not like the excessive use of the F-word throughout which in my opinion, almost distracted from the plot, which picked up its pace, taking this story to some incredible, unexpected turns. I also felt cheated when the story almost ended abruptly without giving me real clues as to how Jam and the waitress, Siobhan get together after he gets thrown into jail, being falsely charged for a crime he did not commit, and I definitely did not understand what the author hinted at as far as Siobhan’s mother is concerned towards the end of the book when Herb is back at the old house. Besides this, I found the book flawlessly written having great scene setting throughout, which constantly enhanced the dialogue among the various characters, making it real.
Nevertheless, the story has an excellent mix of characters, especially the two gangs who come up against each other, one being supported by a few policeman who, for reasons of their own, need extra cash. Add to this mix a lovely, caring waitress, a baby and her doting father, as well as Herb Long, who also speaks a foreign language fluently, and the reader has an edge-of-the-seat crime novel thriller to devour!
Even though this is a crime novel, I did not like the excessive use of the F-word throughout which in my opinion, almost distracted from the plot, which picked up its pace, taking this story to some incredible, unexpected turns. I also felt cheated when the story almost ended abruptly without giving me real clues as to how Jam and the waitress, Siobhan get together after he gets thrown into jail, being falsely charged for a crime he did not commit, and I definitely did not understand what the author hinted at as far as Siobhan’s mother is concerned towards the end of the book when Herb is back at the old house. Besides this, I found the book flawlessly written having great scene setting throughout, which constantly enhanced the dialogue among the various characters, making it real.
November 8, 2016
Although a novella, I didn't feel Jammed Up missed anything in terms of rounded characters and full storyline. However, I was left with questions and wanting to know more - but then, there is Mickey Take, so I'm hoping to find some resolution when I get round to reading it.
Street dialect isn't everyone's cup of tea, but being a Londoner I completely understood it, could read the slang and imagine Jam and Jabba clearly because of it. Hats off to the author for pulling it off so well.
I really enjoyed Herb's character and I want to know more about him - he's so cryptic and secretive. So again, another reason to look forward to the next book. I need to understand Herb more!
The story weaved well together, but every now and then I got a bit lost with the amount of characters - sometimes called by their first name and other times by their surnames. But, other than that, I throughly enjoyed Jammed Up and would recommend it.
Street dialect isn't everyone's cup of tea, but being a Londoner I completely understood it, could read the slang and imagine Jam and Jabba clearly because of it. Hats off to the author for pulling it off so well.
I really enjoyed Herb's character and I want to know more about him - he's so cryptic and secretive. So again, another reason to look forward to the next book. I need to understand Herb more!
The story weaved well together, but every now and then I got a bit lost with the amount of characters - sometimes called by their first name and other times by their surnames. But, other than that, I throughly enjoyed Jammed Up and would recommend it.
October 27, 2016
Pacy, fast moving, well written and introduces us to Jam and Jabba and their South London rudeboy subculture and dialect. Jam is our main hero - tough, streetwise, ruthless but also honourable, loyal, impetuous and occasionally showing a vulnerability. What more could you want? This novella has a voice and originality of its own, reminiscent of those writers that in the past took us onto the mean streets of New York. And there's more... already published is 'Mickey Take' by the same author, where you'll recognise some of the same characters. I look forward to more.
March 1, 2017
This was a really good book. After being blown away by 'Mickey Take' I found myself quickly immersed in the story. Having already met 'Herb' I had some notion of the setting. I enjoyed the character development too. In this book you discover what a really nasty piece of work Riggs is and I found myself gunning for the new characters Jam, Jabba and Siobhan. I struggled a bit with the 'ghetto speak' but had to admire the author for pulling it off. It did get easier as I progressed. I hope there are more books in the series as the ending wasn't conclusive and left me screaming for justice.
All in all a gripping, well crafted gangland thriller.
All in all a gripping, well crafted gangland thriller.
January 8, 2017
Too much
I read Mickey Take before this and was looking forward to reading this but I was disappointed. The wat the dialect of South London is used made this impossible to read fluidly. Too much emphasis on trying to make the characters cool.
I read Mickey Take before this and was looking forward to reading this but I was disappointed. The wat the dialect of South London is used made this impossible to read fluidly. Too much emphasis on trying to make the characters cool.
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