Breaking Dad

by James Lubbock

"In December 2009 the national newspapers reported the arrest of a 'drug baron' with the biggest haul of crystal meth yet seen in this country. The accompanying photo was a mugshot of a scrawny, seedy looking bloke—the archetypal lowlife, a career crook, no doubt. And yet behind the headlines was a story the newspapers never discovered, a story more sensational than they could have wished for. This lowlife, this drug baron was in fact, just a few years before, a meek law-abiding suburban family man . . . He was my dad." James is just a normal student—insecure, smelly, geeky and a virgin to boot. His father is a middle class, middle-aged, and very well respected Jewish coin dealer. Their life is as good as it gets. Until one day James' father ditches Handel for Hard House and unexpectedly hits the gay club scene of London—trading in coin dealing for drug dealing. As James gets to grips with his new reality, will he save his broken dad or be dragged down with him? This is the incredible true story of how one well-to-do family man became Britain's most wanted meth dealer. For the first time, James, his son, tells the true story of their epic highs and crushing comedowns.

356 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2020

Reviews

[lizzie parkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

first things first, i really read this book in two days? that’s a record for me and definitely testament to how gripping the storyline is. Entirely non-fiction but unbelievably shocking this book is so much more than the blurb indicates. There was way more emotion in the book than I had anticipated (i cried) and his father being a meth dealer is actually only one narrative alongside many other key storylines, exceeded my expectations but if you’re looking for classic true crime I wouldn’t say this is it..

[Emma Minazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book, following the story on James and his dad. Very emotional and powerful. James went through so much is a short space of time, you really felt the connection and felt right there with him. I cried at one bit near the end and it was heartbreaking. Would recommend this book

[Carly Cheyney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read.

[A Barnes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too dull for words

[Rachel Hanlon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it but I was just so bored. The story was very scattered. It's clear the author is not a writer. It lacks a description of people and places.