Burning Crowe: a Red Hot Bite of Best British Noir

by Geoff Smith

Two teenagers, both alike in indignity. Will they be civil? Or will there be blood?

Bartholomew Crowe is 18 years old. His dad dead, and deserted by his stepmother, he's running seriously low on justice. And when he is hired find a rich kid gone AWOL, it isn't just a job; it's a chance to do good, a chance to fix things up, to make things right.

Handsome and loaded, Zack Richards has it all. A beautiful girlfriend. A burgeoning sideline in music management. Hell, he's even semi-famous! But for all his good fortune, Zack Richards is angry. He's addicted to trouble. And he's gone into hiding.

But Bart isn't the only one with Zack in his sights. 

And as tensions rise and bullets fly, Bartholomew Crowe learns that the only things he can count on are friendship, and love.

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2019

About the author

Follow or friend, if you like Noir, like me.

I'm Geoff Smith and I'm a writer of Noir and Pulp style crime fiction. I am currently working on my first novel, 'Burning Crowe'. It's a British noir private eye novel with a teenage protagonist.

In the 1990s I was a waster. I'd dropped out of university - twice - I'd been too damned shy to get into groups with the cool kids.

Back in Kent, in dead end jobs I got my shit together. I did Literature at night school, and then at university in Canterbury. I took a PGCE and now I work as an English teacher in Hertfordshire.

I live with my wife and young son near Chelmsford and Harlow in Essex.

On Goodreads you can find me at the Pulp Fiction group, which I totally recommend if you, like me, like Noir.

Reviews

[Colin Devonshire · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, reading the intro I thought, 'Oh no, what have I done, it is a children's book.' Far from it, this book can be enjoyed by adults. OK, the lead characters are teenagers, Bart is a true star, you would love to meet him, the same goes for Colin, his grandfather, some of the others may be best kept at length.
The setting and pacing - perfect.
This thriller keeps you guessing to the last page. Highly recommended!

[Isobel Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burning Crowe is one of those thrillers that is impossible to put down. Smith draws the reader into the dark underworld of Margate and Ramsgate, two coastal towns in Kent, England – all sandy beaches and fun parks on the pier –  that were once primary holiday destinations for Londoners, and later infamous for gang violence. The author takes his readers into clubs and pubs and squats and cheap hotels, on the waterfront, the beaches, the arcade and there's even a fabulous scene in the Turner Gallery. I enjoyed this realistic backdrop; Smith's portrayal of these towns, through the youthful eyes of his protagonist, is well-executed and appropriately noir.

Smith's private investigator is as unlikely as it gets, an eighteen year old not yet out of school, setting off on his first case, his solution to all the hurt he is feeling after the death of his father and his step mother's apparent rejection. This is not a criticism; Bartholomew Crowe is a well-rounded and thoroughly endearing if hapless PI, bumbling and stumbling along, the most ineffectual hero, yet a hero turns out to be.

Smith deploys all the elements of a really good thriller, the twists and turns of the plot as the various players reveal their hand in a slow game of bluff, deceit and lies, play out convincingly. The pacing is good, the characters sharply defined. I particularly enjoyed the exchange of emails between Crowe and his granddad and seeing how that played out in the end. Satisfying complex, Burning Crowe is in essence a coming of age tale of love and relationships and the tensions in blended families. It is also a story of malice and greed and vengeance. This novel held my attention the the very end.

"I requested a free review copy of this book through StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review."

[Sandy Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book after finding out that Geoff Smith was a brand new author but I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Although there were a couple of slow points where conversation seemed to be going nowhere the overall book was quite good.

The characters were very likeable and had that "guy/gal next door" personality. The main character, Bart, was a typical 18 year old guy who felt he didn't need to finish college. He was ready to take on the world and could become a private investigator without any training. He soon discovers on the job training for a PI is dangerous stuff.

Following Bart, his friends, grandfather, and his clientele and various characters that he encounters along the way stir up a mystery with several twists and a few surprises.

I think this author has a good start on what could become a very engaging series.

I received a free review copy of this book

[Joe Nicholl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burning Crowe, an excellent first novel by author Geoff Smith, is one wild ride. Story line follows young PI Bartholomew 'Bart' Crowe as he searches for a kidnapped rich-kid and soon a murderer amongst his party-animal contemporaries, their neglectful parents, and the ever-present sleazey under-world. Is the plot-line wholly original? No, but Burning Crowe is a strong entry into the Private-Eye/Detective genre. And what makes it strong first novel? Topper most is Mr. Smiths prose...he's a natural word-smith, not one word out of place and all flows seamlessly, which makes for an easy read but adds the elements of excitement & mystery. In addition, although a touch busy, the plot is strong with a beginning, middle, and end. And, his main characters are also strong, in fact PI Bart Crowe is ready to star in book #2 if that comes about...I'll be looking forward to it, or which-ever novel Geoff Smith publishes next! 4 outta 5 stars! Recommended...

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started to read this book I was rather concerned that it was a YA story, not really my cup of tea. But I have to say that I was mistaken, it is actually very suitable for adults as well as YA readers.
There are two aspects of this book that I was impressed with, the first is the characters, they are all very believable, well-written and complex, in particular the main character, Bart, behaves in a truly teenage manner, I also really liked his grandfather.
The second aspect that I liked was the plot which had a lot of twists and turns, making for a very satisfying read, I thought that the ending was particularly well written.
This is an enjoyable, unusual read and I recommend it to anyone who likes 'hard-boiled' PI books.
I received a review copy of this book via StoryOrigin, but this is my honest review.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burning Crowe is a very original detective story about a fledgling private investigator, Bartholomew Crowe. As I read this story, I kept getting visons of Inspector Clouseau and Columbo. Bart seemed to stumble through is first case in ways that were reminiscent of the two previously mentioned bumbling detectives. The most interesting thing about tis is just how well this bumbling works so well in this story. In fact, I think it makes the story one you don't want to put down until you se how if ever he solves the case. I hope Geoff Smith releases more books with Bart Crowe, or some other story line, I'll be lined up to read them.

[Cynthia Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Promising newcomer… I want more!

Geoff Smith has introduced an intriguing and highly likeable character in Bart. An 18 year old who decides to do the ‘right thing’, rather than follow the prescribed path for success, is more common among millennials – but how many would leave school months before graduating to become a PI? I love the dynamic between Bart and his three best friends, who support him at some risk to themselves. His relationship with his grandfather is complex and moving. All in all, a novel concept well executed. I truly hope this is the start of a series – I need more Bart!

[Heather W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This British noir thriller engages your interest from the first page and keeps it until the very end. A bumbling teenage P.I. is a fascinating character that is well developed and has a great group of friends helping him. The storyline is great with suspense, intrigue, greed, and tension. It also documents the ongoing relationship of Bartholomew Crowe and his grandfather. All in all, I loved this book and would be happy to read others by this author.

I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense and hard hitting coming of age for a young man in a family of detectives.

Skills and personalities tested. Many sorts of pain and punishment explored

I received an advance copy of this book from Story Origin, and am voluntarily offering my honest opinion.

Gritty and insightful work.

[Bonnye Reed]

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