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Tommy Bennett #2
Man of the World
Ageing hit-man Tommy Bennett left London and returned to his hometown of Seatown, hoping for respite from the ghosts of the violent past that haunted him. However, things don't go to plan and trouble and violence soon follow Tommy to Seatown. Tommy is soon embroiled in Seatown's underworld and his hopes of a peaceful retirement are dashed. Tommy deliberates whether or not to leave Seatown and return to London. Or even leave Great Britain altogether. So, he heads back to London where violence and mayhem await him.
Man of the World is a violent and darkly comic slice of Brit Grit noir.
Praise for the Books by Paul D. Brazill:
"If you took Ken Bruen's candor, the best of Elmore Leonard's dialogues, sprinkled in some Irvine Welsh, and dragged it all through the dirtiest ditch in South London, the result will be something akin to Brazill's writing." --Gabino Iglesias, author of Zero Saints and Gutmouth, for The Last Laugh
"A broad range of cultural strands come together in the melting pot and form a delicious stew of criminal adventure... The observations are sharp and the characters create small nuclear explosions as they collide with each other." --Nigel Bird, author of Southsiders, for The Last Laugh
"Brazill offers a series of amusing episodes filled with breezy banter in this offbeat slice of British noir." --Publishers Weekly, for Last Year's Man
"It's all here, everything you've come to expect from a Paul D. Brazill caper--the fast pace, the witty banter, the grim humour and the classic tunes--except this time he's REALLY outdone himself. Unlike the lament in the song the title takes its name from, Paul's best years are surely still ahead of him." --Paul Heatley, author of Fatboy, for Last Year's Man
"Paul D. Brazill is the Crown Prince of Noir. That's my opinion, granted, but I stand by it. For those who require proof, just pick up his latest novel, Last Year's Man, and it will be clear why I make that statement. All hail the crown prince!" --Les Edgerton, author of The Genuine, Imitation, Plastic Kidnapping, Just Like That and others
"Brazill is brilliant, a unique voice which stands out from the crowd." --Keith Nixon, author of the Solomon Gray books, for Last Year's Man
Man of the World is a violent and darkly comic slice of Brit Grit noir.
Praise for the Books by Paul D. Brazill:
"If you took Ken Bruen's candor, the best of Elmore Leonard's dialogues, sprinkled in some Irvine Welsh, and dragged it all through the dirtiest ditch in South London, the result will be something akin to Brazill's writing." --Gabino Iglesias, author of Zero Saints and Gutmouth, for The Last Laugh
"A broad range of cultural strands come together in the melting pot and form a delicious stew of criminal adventure... The observations are sharp and the characters create small nuclear explosions as they collide with each other." --Nigel Bird, author of Southsiders, for The Last Laugh
"Brazill offers a series of amusing episodes filled with breezy banter in this offbeat slice of British noir." --Publishers Weekly, for Last Year's Man
"It's all here, everything you've come to expect from a Paul D. Brazill caper--the fast pace, the witty banter, the grim humour and the classic tunes--except this time he's REALLY outdone himself. Unlike the lament in the song the title takes its name from, Paul's best years are surely still ahead of him." --Paul Heatley, author of Fatboy, for Last Year's Man
"Paul D. Brazill is the Crown Prince of Noir. That's my opinion, granted, but I stand by it. For those who require proof, just pick up his latest novel, Last Year's Man, and it will be clear why I make that statement. All hail the crown prince!" --Les Edgerton, author of The Genuine, Imitation, Plastic Kidnapping, Just Like That and others
"Brazill is brilliant, a unique voice which stands out from the crowd." --Keith Nixon, author of the Solomon Gray books, for Last Year's Man
134 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2020
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Paul D. Brazill
99 books172 followersPaul D. Brazill is the author of A Case Of Noir, Guns Of Brixton & Roman Dalton- Werewolf PI. He was born in England and lives in Poland.
He is an International Thriller Writers Inc member whose writing has been translated into Italian, Polish and Slovene.
He has had writing published in various magazines and anthologies, including The Mammoth Books of Best British Crime 8,10 and 11, alongside the likes of Ian Rankin, Neil Gaiman and Lee Child.
He edited the best- selling anthology True Brit Grit – with Luca Veste.
He is an International Thriller Writers Inc member whose writing has been translated into Italian, Polish and Slovene.
He has had writing published in various magazines and anthologies, including The Mammoth Books of Best British Crime 8,10 and 11, alongside the likes of Ian Rankin, Neil Gaiman and Lee Child.
He edited the best- selling anthology True Brit Grit – with Luca Veste.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 5, 2020
"Man of the Year" continues Brazill's nasty Brit noir with the aging hitman we first met in "Last Year's Man," Tommy Bennett. Filled with sardonic humor, quick, nifty explosions of violence, and resigned World-weariness, Man of the World is noir across the pond with an accent. Mixed in with dialogue-driven short vignettes are a soundtrack of rock and nods to literature. By modern day standards, this book is short, sweet, and pointed.
April 29, 2020
Man of The World.
Paul writes classic noir but he does so using pop culture references, off the wall characters, current events and the Union Jack.
Think Graham Greene meets J.G Ballard in a high street pub, drinking Stella and kicking off!
Paul writes classic noir but he does so using pop culture references, off the wall characters, current events and the Union Jack.
Think Graham Greene meets J.G Ballard in a high street pub, drinking Stella and kicking off!
June 13, 2020
Oh boy, he is back, Tommy Bennett, and I am smiling from ear to ear as I am sure the undertaker at Seatown must have been. Poor Tommy dreams of retirement but the proverbial carrot of just one more job turns into a bunch. Tommy is a sucker for doing a favour for a mate, of course with a price tag, as it all goes towards his retirement fund as it seems to get just out of reach each time.
The violence is lightened with the dry rugged humour that is embedded on every page along with music classics from yesteryear where it makes for an unforgettable melody of cracking entertainment. I always read these books twice to make sure that I don’t miss any the first time around because Paul Brazil has a subtle sense of humour that I sometimes miss. After all, I am still wrapped up in something that tickled me a couple of sentences back.
As tough as Tommy is, he is facing some pretty scary personal times himself in this story, which brings out his vulnerable side that he knows he doesn’t have control over. It makes you forget that he could have you turned into a pork pie or Sunday morning bacon butty at the blink of an eye. I want Tommy to be around for a long time to come.
These are modern-day classics to die for, absolutely love these books that I can read over and over again!
The violence is lightened with the dry rugged humour that is embedded on every page along with music classics from yesteryear where it makes for an unforgettable melody of cracking entertainment. I always read these books twice to make sure that I don’t miss any the first time around because Paul Brazil has a subtle sense of humour that I sometimes miss. After all, I am still wrapped up in something that tickled me a couple of sentences back.
As tough as Tommy is, he is facing some pretty scary personal times himself in this story, which brings out his vulnerable side that he knows he doesn’t have control over. It makes you forget that he could have you turned into a pork pie or Sunday morning bacon butty at the blink of an eye. I want Tommy to be around for a long time to come.
These are modern-day classics to die for, absolutely love these books that I can read over and over again!
April 18, 2020
They say there are some jobs it is impossible to retire from, and being a hitman is definitely one of them, especially if you are an ex-soldier with a temperament more situated to violence and the settling of old scores.
Tommy Bennett has reached an age where he is searching for a quieter existence and believes he may find a more restful pace of life back up north in his native Seatown. But ghosts from his past lurk in the shadows and old friends with dark memories bring new chaos into his life.
With an extraordinary past working in covert operations as well as dishing out his own type of justice for friends with cash to spare and grudges to settle; it seems that Tommy is more afraid of a visit to the doctor’s surgery than tackling hard men from his past,
‘You know, I’ve mellowed over the years,’ I said. ‘I really have. I lay off the booze for long periods of time. I drink bloody coconut water. I recycle. I even stopped smoking after half a century of sucking on them foul cancer sticks. But if there’s one thing guaranteed to get my goat, guaranteed to wind me fucking up, it's if someone pisses down my back and tries to tell me it’s raining.’
His rehabilitation is short-lived, and it’s not long before Tommy is propping up bars all over Europe while laying low, after taking out a notorious self-styled, east end Mafiosi amongst many, many others…
It's an action-packed tale, with vivid, eccentric characters, and plenty of comic dialogue to keep you amused!
Tommy Bennett has reached an age where he is searching for a quieter existence and believes he may find a more restful pace of life back up north in his native Seatown. But ghosts from his past lurk in the shadows and old friends with dark memories bring new chaos into his life.
With an extraordinary past working in covert operations as well as dishing out his own type of justice for friends with cash to spare and grudges to settle; it seems that Tommy is more afraid of a visit to the doctor’s surgery than tackling hard men from his past,
‘You know, I’ve mellowed over the years,’ I said. ‘I really have. I lay off the booze for long periods of time. I drink bloody coconut water. I recycle. I even stopped smoking after half a century of sucking on them foul cancer sticks. But if there’s one thing guaranteed to get my goat, guaranteed to wind me fucking up, it's if someone pisses down my back and tries to tell me it’s raining.’
His rehabilitation is short-lived, and it’s not long before Tommy is propping up bars all over Europe while laying low, after taking out a notorious self-styled, east end Mafiosi amongst many, many others…
It's an action-packed tale, with vivid, eccentric characters, and plenty of comic dialogue to keep you amused!
April 20, 2020
great witty dialogue and lots of old school characters ,
delivering their violence as matter of factly as their punchlines,
very recommendable as always with paul brazill books,
this time especially for dog lovers
delivering their violence as matter of factly as their punchlines,
very recommendable as always with paul brazill books,
this time especially for dog lovers
May 8, 2020
Retired hit man Tommy Bennett lies low in the grey, sodden Seatown in the north east of England. However, his deadly talents are soon called into use as he finds himself helping out old friends and fighting foes both old and new in a variety of scrapes and japes. Man of the World is a hilarious yet murderous episodic novel by talented crime author Paul D Brazill. Another sure-fire winner from one the best voices in the Brit grit genre who seems to get better with each new novel. A perfect tonic to these bleak lockdown times.
April 18, 2020
It’s always good news to hear that Mr B has a new book out. I even got my grubby mitts on an advanced copy so read ’em and weep, folks — I already have! Read it, that is. But I ordered the paperback, too. I want have it on my shelf to cheer me up.
I missed Seatown! It’s great to be back there. Tommy Bennett is back: he was Last Year’s Man but now he’s even more lethal. He’d really rather retire. He’s almost making peace with the ghosts that haunt him. But the old life pulls him back in every time. And as we all know, the dead don’t always stay dead.
The story turns on a dime from laid-back humour to grievous bodily harm. One minute you’re chuckling as dim-witted low-lifes argue about pop music, then in Chandler-esque fashion a man walks through a door with a gun — and probably dressed as a nun to boot. Brazill makes it all look easy — John Le Mesurier easy. The pace seldom slackens for more than a few pages then we’re off and running again, or rather Tommy is, and he’s left a body or two behind him and a few lively ones chasing him.
True to its title, we start in Seatown but soon we’re off to the Big Smoke and then even further afield. Familiar names pop up: some from his other yarns and beware, crime writing friends of Brazill are likely to wind up dead. All the flourishes you expect from his stories are there: small time crooks improbably questioning the quality of Jane Austen novels, enough song references to fill a day-long radio show, lyrical twists, and you never know what’s lurking behind that closed door though it’s bound to be memorable (I’m still snorting at one of the truly bizarre reveals).
There is more pink than you’d expect in a noir novella.
And I’ll tell you a secret: when he thinks you’re not paying attention Brazill throws in a few lines of absolute poetry. It may seem like finding antique doubloons in busker’s hat full of pennies, but it’s just the thing for those of us lying in the gutter, gazing up at the stars.
I missed Seatown! It’s great to be back there. Tommy Bennett is back: he was Last Year’s Man but now he’s even more lethal. He’d really rather retire. He’s almost making peace with the ghosts that haunt him. But the old life pulls him back in every time. And as we all know, the dead don’t always stay dead.
The story turns on a dime from laid-back humour to grievous bodily harm. One minute you’re chuckling as dim-witted low-lifes argue about pop music, then in Chandler-esque fashion a man walks through a door with a gun — and probably dressed as a nun to boot. Brazill makes it all look easy — John Le Mesurier easy. The pace seldom slackens for more than a few pages then we’re off and running again, or rather Tommy is, and he’s left a body or two behind him and a few lively ones chasing him.
True to its title, we start in Seatown but soon we’re off to the Big Smoke and then even further afield. Familiar names pop up: some from his other yarns and beware, crime writing friends of Brazill are likely to wind up dead. All the flourishes you expect from his stories are there: small time crooks improbably questioning the quality of Jane Austen novels, enough song references to fill a day-long radio show, lyrical twists, and you never know what’s lurking behind that closed door though it’s bound to be memorable (I’m still snorting at one of the truly bizarre reveals).
There is more pink than you’d expect in a noir novella.
And I’ll tell you a secret: when he thinks you’re not paying attention Brazill throws in a few lines of absolute poetry. It may seem like finding antique doubloons in busker’s hat full of pennies, but it’s just the thing for those of us lying in the gutter, gazing up at the stars.
April 23, 2020
Man of the World is a fast paced read trimmed of any excess fat. Tommy Bennet is supposed to be retired in Seatown, but his old profession keeps dragging him back in. Tommy is a nice guy but killing is his business and he does it well. These are intertwined stories of Tommy’s escapades written with the usual mastery of Paul Brazill. His writing is dark and is laced with humor. I haven’t been disappointed in any of his books and this is no exception. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2020
Guy Ritchie directing The Ladykillers... A Carry-on Brit-Grit noir laced with music to die for.
Concentrated razor-sharp dialogue, lyrical dynamics with poetry hidden between the lines...it’s so good. A Brazill book is treat to discover, read and to return to. This is no exception.
Here, retired-ish hit-man Tommy Bennett goes back over a familiar Seatown, and it’s a joy to visit with him. Going along for the rude rough ride.
And, it’s eerily close to my own memories of Whitley Bay. Enough said there... Too familiar.
Tasty dark demons haunt Tony as he falls from hangover, bed, conversation and tainted thoughts.
Ghosts are here too - with a lighthouse image crafting an entire Stephen King esque epic in a glorious line or two.
Rescue the coke idled lap dancer from the dealing madame. What could possibly go wrong...
I savoured each line.
And, always do with Brazill’s books, they’re concentrated little bites with hidden poetic gem stones shining through. Stories hide in the subtext and between the lines, in words unsaid or part written. His novellas feel weighty in what’s there, but also what’s not - feeding the reader’s imagination. His own blend of noir magic.
Needless to say there’s rich characters, pithy dialogue, giggles, fights and seediness galore throughout... But, if you want it, there’s more here...a whole lot of layers to be peeled back and devoured.
Concentrated razor-sharp dialogue, lyrical dynamics with poetry hidden between the lines...it’s so good. A Brazill book is treat to discover, read and to return to. This is no exception.
Here, retired-ish hit-man Tommy Bennett goes back over a familiar Seatown, and it’s a joy to visit with him. Going along for the rude rough ride.
And, it’s eerily close to my own memories of Whitley Bay. Enough said there... Too familiar.
Tasty dark demons haunt Tony as he falls from hangover, bed, conversation and tainted thoughts.
Ghosts are here too - with a lighthouse image crafting an entire Stephen King esque epic in a glorious line or two.
Rescue the coke idled lap dancer from the dealing madame. What could possibly go wrong...
I savoured each line.
And, always do with Brazill’s books, they’re concentrated little bites with hidden poetic gem stones shining through. Stories hide in the subtext and between the lines, in words unsaid or part written. His novellas feel weighty in what’s there, but also what’s not - feeding the reader’s imagination. His own blend of noir magic.
Needless to say there’s rich characters, pithy dialogue, giggles, fights and seediness galore throughout... But, if you want it, there’s more here...a whole lot of layers to be peeled back and devoured.
May 21, 2020
This book is non-stop fun from start to finish. It moves at a hectic pace and has a memorable scene, character, and quote on every page. The body-count is high but it's not a spatter-fest, more a book that's steeped in humour of the very darkest kind. Every kill is accompanied by a matter-of-fact observation which, because of the context, is hilarious. This is one of my personal favourites:
'Jed Bramble was a local pig farmer whose livestock had a massive appetite for corpses...'
Like all Paul D Brazill novels this one ends far too soon and leaves you wanting more.
A word of advice: before you read Man of the World, read Last Year's Man. Man of the World is the follow-up to Last year's man.
You'll be left wanting more after you've read both books. I'd recommend you turn to A Case of Noir and Cold London Blues to satisfy your need for a further fix of the heady and addictive drug we know as Paul D Brazill.
'Jed Bramble was a local pig farmer whose livestock had a massive appetite for corpses...'
Like all Paul D Brazill novels this one ends far too soon and leaves you wanting more.
A word of advice: before you read Man of the World, read Last Year's Man. Man of the World is the follow-up to Last year's man.
You'll be left wanting more after you've read both books. I'd recommend you turn to A Case of Noir and Cold London Blues to satisfy your need for a further fix of the heady and addictive drug we know as Paul D Brazill.
May 17, 2020
Blast from the past....
This novella reminds me of the old Mickey Spillane books where he introduced Mike Hammer to the world or maybe Erle Stanley Gardner and his Perry Mason series. Short vignettes that capture the essence of a character without going too deep. Short reads that are light entertainment.
While this style is the intended genre for the author, and for which I would give five stars, I feel as though this was an outline for an even better book that was never fleshed out. There is so much more I would like to know about each of the characters and even the setting of Seatown.
Brazill is a an excellent writer and I would be the first in line for a full blown version of this story, Tommy Bennett has the potential of being as good a character as Mike Hammer or better yet, Ray Donovan
In the mean time this one gets three stars.
This novella reminds me of the old Mickey Spillane books where he introduced Mike Hammer to the world or maybe Erle Stanley Gardner and his Perry Mason series. Short vignettes that capture the essence of a character without going too deep. Short reads that are light entertainment.
While this style is the intended genre for the author, and for which I would give five stars, I feel as though this was an outline for an even better book that was never fleshed out. There is so much more I would like to know about each of the characters and even the setting of Seatown.
Brazill is a an excellent writer and I would be the first in line for a full blown version of this story, Tommy Bennett has the potential of being as good a character as Mike Hammer or better yet, Ray Donovan
In the mean time this one gets three stars.
November 10, 2021
A good one from PDB
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews