Collingwood Flat

by Keith McTaggart

Easy going bodyguard Mick Conlon is thrust into a detective role by his panicking boss, gang leader Hardy. Conlon lives in the 1860 unsewered shanty town Collingwood Flat on the edge of Melbourne, a city developing after the gold rush. He must, with help of friends, find an explosives hit man and the criminal who ordered the killing.
Out of his depth at first, Conlon is coached by girlfriend Annie, the local bar and brothel keeper. Mates Gul and Scratcher help, as do some unlikely allies against their ruthless adversaries. Destruction of the petty gangs of Collingwood Flat turns out to be only a stepping stone to corrupt intrigues at the big end of town. Can Conlon and his mates save their fledgling city?

“Collingwood Flat … delivers an insightful plot and in it the reader meets with some heartily joyful and witty characters. It is a romp of a novel ... . It is respectful of women and indigenous cultures and it can be read as a parable of the present social and business world and its murky undertow of bankers, moguls and molls. …" Clare Allan Kamil author and editor

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2018

Reviews

[مسعود · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book starts with a turbid stinky walk, arriving instantly to the very first point of the plot, and this is the charming pattern all over the story! At the very beginning, you got a man gathering a gang who instead of killing somebody, must try to save one, but the plot is not done yet with this, and since there are characters who make their own progress in their own journeys, the story is not even done with the plot.
Well developed characters and well-timed seeded points make you float through the polyphonic narrative, and fruitful suspense, while the different relations between the characters and the sweet comic mood every now and then, flavours the plot and prevents the reader to slow down reading.
Something that I mostly do not like is "injecting" information and history lessons in the story, but in this book, while you learn a lot there is no teacher's voice.
It is a very well-written "laconic and easy-going tale of a very new city in 1860" and the Australian slang really does not pose a problem even for a beginner English-reader like me.
So, if you miss reading a crime story which has got the literary merit, living images and a different setting with a variety of colourful landscapes, this is the book.

[Divya Mahajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collingwood Flat is an unusual detective story with a dash of romance and thrill. It is an enjoyable read. A bodyguard of a mobster looking to legalise is given a job to find the killer of mobster's rival and to prove him innocent. This takes the protagonist who is a bodyguard for hire and not related to any crime mob through a roller coaster of violence, betrayal, love and friendship and how he succeeds despite his non existent detective skills with help from his friends and lover who is a brothel keeper makes for a lively read. His search for the killer unleashes a chain of events that brings upheaval to the whole area and their inhabitants lives.
Though the middle part of the book drags a bit but still it is worth a read for its unusual and colourful mix of characters and plot. The dash of humour that is laced in between also takes the story a notch up.
Thank you Keith McTaggart and @BookTasters for this book

[M.T. Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

The best book I've read this year. I fell in love with Mick Conlon the moment I first set eyes on him. I enjoyed joining with his eclectic gang in their adventures.

The Author promised me a gentle laconic yarn with some romance and humour. The book more than delivered on that promise.

The tale is set in Colonial Melbourne. The story is charmingly written and thoroughly researched. The Characters are irrepressible and the plot concise but not thin.

[Deyae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed reading "Colligwood Flat" by Keith McTaggart , it may have took me a few pages to really get into it, but it was good.
It's set in Colonial Melbourne. I liked the progress each character made through the story, they're unique and different in their own ways.
The plot is good and quite interesting.

[Chandni Majumdar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the year 1860 Collingwood Flat is a historical crime fiction. It has all the elements to entice the reader. Be it the suspense or the romance or the guy next door type hero everything adds a little spice to the story to make it worth relishing.
Mick Conlon the main protagonist is precisely your average tom.He is sweet, lovable, exceptionally levelheaded, a little faulty sometimes and certainly not a block head. And he is the main attraction of the story. The reader will be interested to accompany him in his journey to stop a vicious and cruel villain.
But it will be unjust to mention only Mick Conlon. The other characters of his group are equally well developed. Gul the aboriginal with his special talents, Scratcher the teenager who is desperate to prove his worth (and that lands him into trouble too).or raucous Annie with her strong willed and intelligent mind.
The female characters are surprisingly strong independent and a mind of their own. And they are not at all shy to express what's in their mind. One character though short is immensely enjoyable , that is Myf, Annie 's mother. She is extremely realistic and super hilarious.
This is the foursome who are trying to find out and stop a very powerful mafia. They are nowhere near the suave, super intelligent detective that we generally expect. None will expect them to succeed except their near and dear ones. And that gives this novel the special edge.
Another point of this novel which is praiseworthy is the insight into the then society of Collingwood ( I especially liked the detailing of the aboriginal lifestyle).
So in my opinion every reader of crime or historical fiction should get into a hansom with Mick Conlon and his odd group and find out if they are successful in their mammoth task. I think the reader will enjoy the ride till it lasts.

[Maria Rivas-mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It kept its shape as it fell. A tongue of vile liquid from the chamber pots plunged towards its target”
This ‘picturesque’ beginning catapults the reader back to 19th century colonial Australia - specifically, to a nascent Melbourne City. Collingwood Flat is a slum on the edges of Melbourne, a place that’s finding its feet, where might is right and territory is ruthlessly defended or seized.

Mick Conlon is a bodyguard for hire - once the job keeps him on this side of the law. Easygoing and of an independent mindset, Conlon is the go-to person when a local gang leader, Hardy, needs to keep a rival gang leader safe. Unfortunately Conlon’s charge is blown up on his watch and his contract changes. He has to find a killer. With the encouragement of his girlfriend Annie, the support of his young mates Gul and Scratcher, and his own self-doubts, he manages to do just that.

In between all of that, Keith McTaggart immerses us in Australia’s rich history - the good and the bad - while also introducing us to Aboriginal customs and thinking. It’s a great read with a slew of interesting, enjoyable characters. Loved it.

I received a complimentary copy for a fair review.

[Molebatsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

COLLINWOOD FLAT: Keith McTaggart
The story is set in a hell hole called Collingwood Flat, of Melbourne of the 1860s. Collingwood Flat is a replica of shack lands you find in major cities and towns around the world.
Just like many misery villages or slums, Collingwood abounds with crime. The story picks on a gang warfare. Instead of finishing off a rival, gang leader Hardy places him under protection by providing him with a bodyguard for fear of being accused of his killing if the latter dies.
What happens is the rival is blown to pieces, and Hardy carries the rap. The bodyguard is thrown into a foreign role to him, to find the bomb. He is rescued by his girl friend, Annie the former Bar and Brothel Keeper in what is a sleuth work by Google.
He picks on a ragtag army of investigators. Strange and behold, they defy logic and solve the bombing and save their city.
To put flesh to this skeleton, you must read the entire text and sample the story yourself. Get it from me, you wont regret the trip of reading the book. It is a good story in the hands of a good story teller.
Highly recommended.

[Aynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The plot was actually quite simple but it unfolded very well. Mick Conlon, a freelance bodyguard turned detective, had to work on a murder case done by one of the most high profile syndicates in Collingwood Flat. Along with the help of his friends, as well as his connections to two famous underground bosses, he was able to solve the murder in time to restore peace and order in Collingwood Flat. The plot was set around the 19th century and the author was able to beautifully illustrate the environment during that time. I also admired the author’s writing style and how each character had enough character development as the plot thickens. However, I felt like the last chapter was a bit rushed. I wanted more action especially the part where they were planning the arrest of the mastermind. Then again, I thought the story still ended well. I would highly recommend this for readers who are into detective-themed stories. Overall, I’ll rate the book 4.8/5 stars.

[Pramit Deb Burman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collingwood Flat is the story of violent gang-war and power-game in a growing city. This crime thriller is set up in the backdrop of colonial era Melbourne, but could be the same for any cosmopolitan city such as Mumbai, New York, Milan and so on. Keith McTaggart weaves a gripping story-line in his crime thriller. The main characters are drawn from common people but grow stronger as the story progresses. I found this journey of the characters inspiring apart from the main story. The author mixes a right amount of comedy in right places that makes the read more enjoyable. It also depicts the colonial era injustice done to the aboriginal of Australia by the European settlers that makes the readers aware of the past reality of a glittering city. The story moves in parts of Australia giving the readers a virtual tour of the country, thanks to a vivid and colourful description penned by the author. I highly recommend this novel for the suspense and adventure-lovers.

[Bailey Grimm · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Thank you Booktasters for connecting me with the author and thank you Keith for sending me a copy of this wonderful book.
I love a good mystery and this book did not disappoint. There was never a boring moment from the beginning to end. The investigation was pretty easy to follow and I was never confused about what was going on. I do think the big reveal was pretty anticlimactic. I wish there would have been more explanation or something.
I really liked the multiple perspectives that we got. They did switch pretty abruptly but it was easy to tell whose perspective it was.
I’ve never read a book set in Australia so that was interesting and cool for me. You can’t really tell that it’s set in the past.
I really loved the ensemble of characters. They were all so easy to like and become invested in. They were like their own little family and it was really cute. You could tell they were there for each other no matter what. Mick and Annie were really cute together.

[Londeka Shabangu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very delightful read I must say. The first few pages had been a little hard to get by but as I continued reading each page had something to it that kept me going. The storyline unfolded very well in my opinion.

Collingwood flat is an interesting read, a historical crime story with a bit of romance added to it. Mick Conlon isn't your usual self centred protagonist and the other characters are just as lovely read as he. Personally from this book I loved to see independent, strong female characters with minds of their own. Annie and her mother Myf are just undeniably enjoyable characters. As any reader I like the detail and I do my best to appreciate it (loved the aboriginal thinking and customs)

Not once did the book disappoint me and I very much appreciated the different perspectives I got reading this. I'd strongly recommend this book to the next person because I feel like it's got something in store for everyone.

Thank you to BookTasters and the author Keith McTaggart

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Collingwood Flat by Keith McTaggart although I must admit, it took a few pages to get me engaged. Once I was engaged, I could not stop reading as I became more familiar with the characters with their own quirky personalities woven against the main plot of the story. Another bonus for me was the mini education I received about how multicultural Australia was in the mid to late 19th century. We in this time period tend to think of multiculturalism as a modern phenomenon when in fact its been going on since time immemorial. The actual plot was intriguing on its own as it is in my opinion, part noir, part mystery, part crime. I enjoyed the way the underground element was described in the story with its interworkings and connections to the 'respectable' upper tiers of the political establishment. An enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt drawn to the cover design of this book, as I thought it looked eerie and interesting.

When I started reading, I found it wasn't what I first expected. I think I'd expected a modern gangland thriller or something similar, but this book takes us to 1860s Melbourne. I think the fact that it was historical meant that I enjoyed it more. I often connect with historical books in a different way; sometimes they feel like more of an escape because they stimulate my imagination.

I liked the gritty atmosphere, but I felt that the characters themselves, and their dialogue, were a little bit humorous in places, so that helped to balance things out a little. This was a fun and entertaining read.

[Rachel Nefeke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collingwood Flat is the kind of book you will love or hate after the first few pages. I was enjoying the description of the surroundings, and it was easier for me to get deeper into the storyline. The story was interesting from the start, and Mick Conlon was kind to a fault. I liked his attitude, even when he wasn't Detective Dupin.
The diversion of the characters' personalities and the way how they interacted with each other appears realistic and comfortable. Of course, the story includes some clichés, but it can be forgotten because the writer did a great job with the writing.
Recommended for readers who are enjoying the chilling, criminality and mafia's bosses legends.

[Angelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Booktasters and the author, Keith McTaggart, for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a bit different from the normal detective stories that I have come across so far. A bodyguard to a mobster finding out the killer who has framed the mobster who is turning to become a legitimate businessman. The characters are quite nice and funny at times.

The middle part of the book was quite dragging and the end was finished off way too soon... That was a bit disappointing for me. Beyond that, it is a nice book to read for a change. Perhaps if the author continues the series, maybe it could be a hit.

[Wayne Bilow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was swept away on an extraordinary adventure to a bygone era and a country that completely caught me off guard. I followed Mike Conlon, along with his two friends and the enigmatic landlady of a brothel. Initially, Mike took on the role of a bodyguard, but soon he was thrust into the world of detective work for a powerful underlord. We found ourselves deep in the Australian backwoods, exploring an unfamiliar land that felt almost otherworldly. McTaggart guided me through a wilderness and a town so vividly portrayed that it felt as if I had stepped into yesterday. The writing is masterfully crafted, pulling me in from the very first page.

[Terrytracy Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in collinwood flat, Australia, during the 1860, during the American Civil war. this is a story about Mick Conlon,a hired hand , a man. He hired to protect his boss’s rival from being killed and the killing blamed on him. On Mick’s first day everything goes wrong, and soon he and his friends must find the real killer. Along the way he must come to terms with his feelings for the woman, who was part of his life.
I usually don’t read westerns , but I love this book, it is great book with mystery and romance. It was like visiting A small town out in Arizona.

[Munie Moe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book have been given to me by the author for an exchange of honest review.

An adventurous novel that set on Colonial Era in Melbourne. The plot is nicely written and totally in love with the relationship between Mick Conlon and Annie, defining the words partner in crime.

I enjoy the adventure of Mick Conlon and his gangs. And the humor that lace between it. A great book to read if you love historical fiction.

[Romila · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story of a common man Mick Conlon, who was exploited by his boss and intentionally pushed for the job he never trained. The story is simple but the humour created by circumstances and the funny nature of characters make it different and you can't put the book down till it end.
The book full of suspense and events never tangled in each other. The language is simple and with a touch of humour. The book is a good escape and I like to read it again.

[Immanythings · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. Not really my speed, as it reminded me of Gangs of New York a bit. The fighting and blame game was interesting. But, also how each character was able to overcome some opposition, eventually getting what was wanted or needed. I won't give any specifics as those would spoil the read for someone who likes this kind of novel; however, I will say the characters did hold their own and even though the book starts slow it picked up around page 60ish.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. It was the story of Mick Conlon and his mismatched gang on the quest to solve a murder.

It was adventurous, sometimes humorous, and filled with a cast of likable characters. Annie was by far my favorite. The story was well written and while fairly long, it didn't really slow down or lag at all.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A definitely different kind of a read, it took me awhile to get into the story here but when I did I certainly enjoyed it. Rough characters, a rough setting, some romance and humour, this one has it all. A very satisfying read all together; if you want to try something a bit different than what you usually find this could be a good choice.

[Huey Carter]

This is an unusual detective story. It has bits of romance, twists and turns I didn't expect. Plus the introduction was a good one. There is an accent I didn't quite catch at the beginning.