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Raging: by Stephen Scarcliffe
A bloody turf war is raging between the shellsuit gangsters and the Donaldsons, while the family outcasts look to take advantage of the disorder on the streets... Who torched Dougie Donaldson’s taxi? Why are the bodies piling up in the high rises? Why is a scorned figure from the past poking his nose into everyone’s business? As things escalate, Billy Wright is forced to question who is plotting against him as he is dragged even deeper into the world he is trying to escape. George Donaldson is sucked into a bitter feud with childhood pals that forces him to answer serious doubts around his loyalties and Sean Donaldson schemes to shift the balance of power in Muirhouse, hellbent on revenge against the uncle who has frozen him out of the family drug business. Will Billy fulfil the promise he made to girlfriend Lyndsay and leave the life of crime behind as fatherhood approaches? Can George successfully defend his old man’s territory in the face of mounting adversity? Is there any line Sean won’t cross in his quest for supremacy? Raging is a gritty slice of 90s North Edinburgh crime noir, which forms part 2 of the Chemical Estate book series.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2020
2 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Scarcliffe
3 books10 followersGrowing up around the north of Edinburgh where the Chemical Estate book series is set lends first-hand experience and authenticity to both the story and its characters.
Around 14 years ago, and 4 pints (or more) down, I bumped into a certain Irvine Welsh in a pub in Edinburgh city centre. After giving him a copy of a short story I had written, I received a really encouraging email that spurred me on to write a novel. The process was extended somewhat by spending 10 years as the singer-songwriter for Edinburgh Alt-rock band The Number 9s, before opting to turn my main focus to writing. 2 books in now with number 3 in development I hope to continue for many years to come.
If you have read my book(s) and enjoyed them, I would be most very grateful if you could leave a small review on Amazon!
You can keep up to date with details of new releases and plenty more by signing up for my mailing list at www.stephenscarcliffe.co.uk. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Around 14 years ago, and 4 pints (or more) down, I bumped into a certain Irvine Welsh in a pub in Edinburgh city centre. After giving him a copy of a short story I had written, I received a really encouraging email that spurred me on to write a novel. The process was extended somewhat by spending 10 years as the singer-songwriter for Edinburgh Alt-rock band The Number 9s, before opting to turn my main focus to writing. 2 books in now with number 3 in development I hope to continue for many years to come.
If you have read my book(s) and enjoyed them, I would be most very grateful if you could leave a small review on Amazon!
You can keep up to date with details of new releases and plenty more by signing up for my mailing list at www.stephenscarcliffe.co.uk. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 19, 2020
This book would definitely more enjoyable having read the first one but as a stand-alone it does work. Once you get your head around the Scottish dialect this book takes you to the world of crime in Edinburgh during the 90s and what about eye opener that is.
Sharing details of gang life, feuds between families and drug dealing this book shares the life of a variety of characters and how they stay true to themselves and the ‘family’ they belong too.
For me the Scottish dialect was too heavy in this book which stopped it from being an easy read but I enjoyed the way it was constructed. I am going to hunt down book 1 of this series whilst I patiently wait for a number 3 🤞🏽
Sharing details of gang life, feuds between families and drug dealing this book shares the life of a variety of characters and how they stay true to themselves and the ‘family’ they belong too.
For me the Scottish dialect was too heavy in this book which stopped it from being an easy read but I enjoyed the way it was constructed. I am going to hunt down book 1 of this series whilst I patiently wait for a number 3 🤞🏽
February 12, 2020
Wow what a read…..
#2 in the Chemical Estates Series but I feel it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Set in 90’s Edinburgh, this is the tale of violence.
Drug gangs are vying for control.
Billy is trying to change his life as he is soon to be a father, but someone is setting him up. So, he needs to get this sorted before it gets out of hand.
Well suffice to say things get messy.
Written just as people speak, so it can take a little while to get used to, but I felt it really added to the reality. The characters are well developed and not one of them has any redeeming traits, they all want power at any cost. Reputation is king.
A fast paced Dark, violent, brutal, gritty and so thoroughly engrossing.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
#2 in the Chemical Estates Series but I feel it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Set in 90’s Edinburgh, this is the tale of violence.
Drug gangs are vying for control.
Billy is trying to change his life as he is soon to be a father, but someone is setting him up. So, he needs to get this sorted before it gets out of hand.
Well suffice to say things get messy.
Written just as people speak, so it can take a little while to get used to, but I felt it really added to the reality. The characters are well developed and not one of them has any redeeming traits, they all want power at any cost. Reputation is king.
A fast paced Dark, violent, brutal, gritty and so thoroughly engrossing.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
March 22, 2020
Oh, Raging was gritty! This is book two in the series but can easily be read as a standalone. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything crucial.
It took me a bit to get used to the writing style…especially the dialogue. But, once I was used to that, this story is a fast-paced dive into crime in Edinburgh in the 90s. It felt realistic and well researched. I could see being there, and following the characters.
Speaking of characters, each one was well written. I found this novel to be very character driven, which I really enjoy.
I recommend checking out Raging! I feel like I need to read book one, just because I enjoyed this one so much.
Rating
4/5☆
*I recieved a free copy of this book from Damppebbles Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
It took me a bit to get used to the writing style…especially the dialogue. But, once I was used to that, this story is a fast-paced dive into crime in Edinburgh in the 90s. It felt realistic and well researched. I could see being there, and following the characters.
Speaking of characters, each one was well written. I found this novel to be very character driven, which I really enjoy.
I recommend checking out Raging! I feel like I need to read book one, just because I enjoyed this one so much.
Rating
4/5☆
*I recieved a free copy of this book from Damppebbles Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
February 12, 2020
Content warnings: drug abuse, murder, brutal violence, off page rape, miscarriage and body mutilation.
I’ve never really read a book like this before so I was very weary going in. This was a really interesting premise and concept. I’ve never read about rival gangs and it was really interesting to see how this works.
This was a really tough read for a number of reasons
Raging has very graphic scenes of violence.
Raging was really difficult to read due to the way the dialogue was written. It was very hard to understand at first but once I got the hang of it, it was easier.
there was so many characters in this story and the perspectives kept changing so I kept getting confused on who was who.
Although I had some problems with this story I did enjoy it quite a bit. It was a very intense read with a lot of violence and scheming which was really interesting to follow.
http://www.foreverthewanderer.ie/ragi...
I’ve never really read a book like this before so I was very weary going in. This was a really interesting premise and concept. I’ve never read about rival gangs and it was really interesting to see how this works.
This was a really tough read for a number of reasons
Raging has very graphic scenes of violence.
Raging was really difficult to read due to the way the dialogue was written. It was very hard to understand at first but once I got the hang of it, it was easier.
there was so many characters in this story and the perspectives kept changing so I kept getting confused on who was who.
Although I had some problems with this story I did enjoy it quite a bit. It was a very intense read with a lot of violence and scheming which was really interesting to follow.
http://www.foreverthewanderer.ie/ragi...
February 18, 2020
I absolutely love discovering new authors and Stephen Scarcliffe is certainly a new author for me. I read the synopsis for 'Raging' and it certainly sounded like the kind of crime novel I love to read. I wasn't wrong either because I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Raging' but more about that in a bit.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first twenty or so pages, I knew that I was going to be in for a real treat and that prising the book out of my hands wouldn't be very easy. This wasn't a book that I was able to read within a day or two because boring things like life got in the way but I did manage to read the book within five days. I would pick the book up only intending to read for the odd 5 minutes here or there but I would immerse myself in the story so well that I ended up reading for significantly longer than any five minutes. The book isn't particularly long so I seemed to race to the end of the book far quicker than I had anticipated. I did enjoy reading this book and I will definitely be reading the first book in the series just as soon as I can.
'Raging' is well written. I was drawn to this book from the synopsis alone and the story sealed the deal as it were. He certainly grabbed my attention from the start and drew me into the story. Through Stephen's great storytelling and very vivid descriptions, I did feel as though I had been transported back to 1990s Edinburgh and that I was actually part of the story. I found that whilst I was reading this book, I travelled back in my own mind and remembered just how old I was and what I was doing at the same time period as is described in the book. It certainly brought back memories and then some.
In short, 'Raging' is a well written and compulsive read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely be reading more of Stephen's work in the future starting with the first book in the 'Chemical Estate' series called 'Pure Angst'. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first twenty or so pages, I knew that I was going to be in for a real treat and that prising the book out of my hands wouldn't be very easy. This wasn't a book that I was able to read within a day or two because boring things like life got in the way but I did manage to read the book within five days. I would pick the book up only intending to read for the odd 5 minutes here or there but I would immerse myself in the story so well that I ended up reading for significantly longer than any five minutes. The book isn't particularly long so I seemed to race to the end of the book far quicker than I had anticipated. I did enjoy reading this book and I will definitely be reading the first book in the series just as soon as I can.
'Raging' is well written. I was drawn to this book from the synopsis alone and the story sealed the deal as it were. He certainly grabbed my attention from the start and drew me into the story. Through Stephen's great storytelling and very vivid descriptions, I did feel as though I had been transported back to 1990s Edinburgh and that I was actually part of the story. I found that whilst I was reading this book, I travelled back in my own mind and remembered just how old I was and what I was doing at the same time period as is described in the book. It certainly brought back memories and then some.
In short, 'Raging' is a well written and compulsive read, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I will definitely be reading more of Stephen's work in the future starting with the first book in the 'Chemical Estate' series called 'Pure Angst'. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 4* out of 5*.
February 15, 2020
I very recently read the first book in the series, 'Pure Angst' which set me in good stead to read this 2nd book as I was familiar with the characters and style of the writing.
Moving into 90s, the story again follows Billy Wright and Georgie and the rest of the gangsters as they battle and rage gang warfare, attempting to establish who are top dogs.
its tough, uncompromising and at times brutally violent as Scarcliffe tells his story of the Gritty Scottish Streets.
Written with the Scottish lilt, it feels authentic and very real.
It's Very Good stuff and I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in british gang stories, full of drugs and violence.
4🔥🔥🔥🔥
Moving into 90s, the story again follows Billy Wright and Georgie and the rest of the gangsters as they battle and rage gang warfare, attempting to establish who are top dogs.
its tough, uncompromising and at times brutally violent as Scarcliffe tells his story of the Gritty Scottish Streets.
Written with the Scottish lilt, it feels authentic and very real.
It's Very Good stuff and I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in british gang stories, full of drugs and violence.
4🔥🔥🔥🔥
April 12, 2020
Raging
Come watch as two families til themselves apart from within. On the mean streets a war is brewing. No prisoners taken.
Come watch as two families til themselves apart from within. On the mean streets a war is brewing. No prisoners taken.
November 24, 2021
Brilliant read!!!
Absolutely loved this and has left me wanting so much more!!! Cannot wait for the 3rd book!!! Billy and George WILL be back to take over for sure!!!
Absolutely loved this and has left me wanting so much more!!! Cannot wait for the 3rd book!!! Billy and George WILL be back to take over for sure!!!
October 6, 2023
Enjoyed this one too. Looking forward to the next one in the series. Great characters!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews