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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Billingham Forum
The job should have been easy. Put a gun against a drug dealer's back, walk him to his car, grab his cash, and dump him unharmed in the middle of nowhere.
But when the Stanton brothers choose the wrong partner for the task they realise that there's no such thing as an easy job. Their screw up has had consequences...
Reluctant criminal Harry Sparks wants to get the money back to keep his young family out of harm's way. His boss, Jonno, wants somebody, anybody, to pay for the mistake, and Harry is as good a candidate for punishment as any. And then there's psychopathic Billy Chin, who'll quite happily take care of anybody who gets in his way.
They're all chasing the Stanton brothers, and each other, across the industrial landscapes of Teesside for a cool fifty thousand in cash.
Robbery, assault, blackmail, and murder – it's all in day's work for this bunch of rogues. And one thing is for certain: this is one day's work that is going to end badly for somebody.
From the bestselling author of The Glasgow Grin. The fast, funny, and ferociously violent A Funny Thing Happened is the best Stanton brothers' thriller yet.
But when the Stanton brothers choose the wrong partner for the task they realise that there's no such thing as an easy job. Their screw up has had consequences...
Reluctant criminal Harry Sparks wants to get the money back to keep his young family out of harm's way. His boss, Jonno, wants somebody, anybody, to pay for the mistake, and Harry is as good a candidate for punishment as any. And then there's psychopathic Billy Chin, who'll quite happily take care of anybody who gets in his way.
They're all chasing the Stanton brothers, and each other, across the industrial landscapes of Teesside for a cool fifty thousand in cash.
Robbery, assault, blackmail, and murder – it's all in day's work for this bunch of rogues. And one thing is for certain: this is one day's work that is going to end badly for somebody.
From the bestselling author of The Glasgow Grin. The fast, funny, and ferociously violent A Funny Thing Happened is the best Stanton brothers' thriller yet.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 5, 2016
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18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 5, 2017
I've been a reader and a fan of Martin Stanley's work and workings for a few years, but have shamefully neglected his books recently. When an opportunity and the inclination arose, I picked up his most recent novel at a bargain price and set about righting my wrongs.
This is a multi-plot stranded heist thriller focusing on Stanley's favourite bickering brothers, The Stantons (Eric and Derek), as they continue in their preferred method of making money; stealing it from people for whom a police reference number would be useless. In this tale, they're looking to take it from Jonno, a man who is in equal parts handsome and vicious, and his drug dealing business partner, Ramon. What should be a routine hit and run, they're dragged into a mire of crossing, double crossing, and a racist Oriental lunatic with a penchant for spraying diseased blood wherever he can get it.
So what's changed in the two years since I last spent time with the Stantons and Stanley's world? In terms of the structure and the themes, not much. Stanley's spent his time mastering what he knows and this novel is all the stronger for it. The individual plot strands and his choreography of them is pitch perfect, as is his wrapping up of each one neatly in its own blood spattered box. He elevates his novel above standard heist fare with characters and dialogue that are both fun and funny. Eric and Derek spend the entire book bickering to the bemusement of any audience they have, with great wit, but then they work together like clockwork when they need to. Billy Chin reminds me of a nihilistic and even more deranged smoggy version of the Leslie Chow character from The Hangover, which set a nice contrast when his true colours revealed themselves.
Overall, this is a fantastic signifier of how far Martin Stanley has come with his signature dish. It's got a Guy Ritchie vibe with the humour and snappy dialogue, which works incredibly well when set against the ultra-violence that comes with this world he's created, filled with characters whose moral compasses are there for set dressing only. His best yet, for me. Five stars.
This is a multi-plot stranded heist thriller focusing on Stanley's favourite bickering brothers, The Stantons (Eric and Derek), as they continue in their preferred method of making money; stealing it from people for whom a police reference number would be useless. In this tale, they're looking to take it from Jonno, a man who is in equal parts handsome and vicious, and his drug dealing business partner, Ramon. What should be a routine hit and run, they're dragged into a mire of crossing, double crossing, and a racist Oriental lunatic with a penchant for spraying diseased blood wherever he can get it.
So what's changed in the two years since I last spent time with the Stantons and Stanley's world? In terms of the structure and the themes, not much. Stanley's spent his time mastering what he knows and this novel is all the stronger for it. The individual plot strands and his choreography of them is pitch perfect, as is his wrapping up of each one neatly in its own blood spattered box. He elevates his novel above standard heist fare with characters and dialogue that are both fun and funny. Eric and Derek spend the entire book bickering to the bemusement of any audience they have, with great wit, but then they work together like clockwork when they need to. Billy Chin reminds me of a nihilistic and even more deranged smoggy version of the Leslie Chow character from The Hangover, which set a nice contrast when his true colours revealed themselves.
Overall, this is a fantastic signifier of how far Martin Stanley has come with his signature dish. It's got a Guy Ritchie vibe with the humour and snappy dialogue, which works incredibly well when set against the ultra-violence that comes with this world he's created, filled with characters whose moral compasses are there for set dressing only. His best yet, for me. Five stars.
November 14, 2016
A great addition to the Crime / Heist genre of storytelling. Like myself, you don't need to have read previous Stanton brothers books to be able to appreciate this one as a stand-alone. Stanley has created a crew of likable characters and immersed them into a fast paced, engaging tale. Violence, sex, action and profanity; all the things that make a story hum. I will be sure to look into previous capers that these brothers have embarked on.
November 1, 2016
Good read if you like gangster books
Really like this author and his style. I think I'm hooked on the Stanton brothers so that helps. Eric and Derek are classic anti-hero's and wear it well. Worth a read.
Really like this author and his style. I think I'm hooked on the Stanton brothers so that helps. Eric and Derek are classic anti-hero's and wear it well. Worth a read.
September 12, 2016
This hardcore British crime story is not short -- but it's paced so swiftly that I inhaled it in two days. At its core are the ever-bickering Stanton Brothers, whose quarrels provide welcome counterbalance to the extreme grimness that is Martin Stanley's stock in trade. What's interesting, though, is that in this outing the Stantons are "on screen" for a relatively low amount of the story. Instead, they are the mainspring that sets the machine ticking. Then Stanley presents and develops a very deep cast, which includes a great new crazy named Billy Chin. The subplot involving the reluctant criminal who wants to go straight, Harry Sparks, is also quite well done. The family drama involving Harry, his wife, and his young son is often very touching. The shades of grey with moral codes -- which are also quite visible with the smart Stanton, Eric -- are something Stanley explores to very good effect.
March 8, 2020
Stanton Brothers Return
This is a fast paced, action packed book with as many characters as there are sub-plots. No-one can be trusted although Eric Stanton does try and look out for his partners, whether that is beneficial to him or not. Mr. Stanley writes about the English underworld as if he has been a life-long resident. Well written and it will hold your attention until the last page.
This is a fast paced, action packed book with as many characters as there are sub-plots. No-one can be trusted although Eric Stanton does try and look out for his partners, whether that is beneficial to him or not. Mr. Stanley writes about the English underworld as if he has been a life-long resident. Well written and it will hold your attention until the last page.
September 26, 2016
Martin Stanley's Stanton Brother adventures can do no wrong in my opinion. Dripping with plenty of blood and sarcasm in equal measure, these books are always full of such shady high jinx, it's - well, criminal not to enjoy them.
I felt that this particular outing for the Stanton Brothers went a little deeper than their previous adventures have; there was a definite focus on family and loyalty but that's in no way a criticism. It actually enhanced the characters of Eric and newcomer Harry and shows that even tough guys can have feelings too. With the exception of Derek Stanton, who is so off the charts likeable but who absolutely does not do feelings.
My one complaint? Having to wait until 2017 for my next Stanton fix *sigh*
I felt that this particular outing for the Stanton Brothers went a little deeper than their previous adventures have; there was a definite focus on family and loyalty but that's in no way a criticism. It actually enhanced the characters of Eric and newcomer Harry and shows that even tough guys can have feelings too. With the exception of Derek Stanton, who is so off the charts likeable but who absolutely does not do feelings.
My one complaint? Having to wait until 2017 for my next Stanton fix *sigh*
October 9, 2016
I haven’t read any other books in this series, but there was no need since the story did not really allude to prior events. This is a very well-written book with realistic free flowing dialog. To say that the story is gritty, is an understatement. As an American, I found the British slang and dry humor to be entertaining. The story is unique in that it is populated by characters who are all bad guys—villains. Their moronic stupendously violent escapades as a whole are softened a little by the humanity and pathos of Harry and his son, and Eric Stanton doesn’t seem quite as bad or stupid as the rest. This one is not for the faint of heart or anyone allergic to foul language. I was thoroughly entertained.
August 5, 2018
Small time criminal Eric Stanton gets a tip off for a sure-fire heist, to snatch a handsome wedge of greasy moolah from some dodgy drug dealers. So together with his powerhouse brother Derek and assisted by bouncer Darren they head out for some easy money. But a grave mistake made by one of the crew plunges the Stanton Brothers into their usual state of utter chaos and big trouble. Local gangster Jonno wants his stuff back and is hell bent on revenge, not caring who’s in the way of his blind fury. The author paints a vivid picture of the seedy North East underworld, while the strong narrative is told from multiple points of view which gives greater variety and depth of character while at the same time keeping the novel firing on all cylinders. To conclude A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Billingham Forum is bloody, gripping and gritty. Even more importantly this may be author Martin Stanley’s finest novel so far and if you haven’t read any of his books then this is a great place to start.
November 19, 2018
Brilliant read
Another great read from a very talented author and I will definitely be reading more by this talented author... even the pigs were well fed lol
Another great read from a very talented author and I will definitely be reading more by this talented author... even the pigs were well fed lol
February 25, 2021
Fast paced,Bloody and Brutal.
A great book with great characters,very vicious and no holds barred,couldn't put it down!I'm going to read other books soon.
A great book with great characters,very vicious and no holds barred,couldn't put it down!I'm going to read other books soon.
January 7, 2017
The Stanton brothers are back in another hardboiled adventure full of colourful and gritty characters you wouldn't want to meet beyond the pages of Stanleys books. They're hard, but you can't help loving 'em. Looking forward to the next caper already!
September 28, 2021
It's strange reading about places you know about even when it's fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and could quite imagine these things happening between the Borough and BILLINGHAM. The following book is just as good but I would not want to spoil it for others by revealing the contents to much except there is a lot of drugs involved and could imagine it going on in certain places around Teesside.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews