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Jimmy Mullen #2
One Way Street
The second gritty Newcastle-set thriller in this unforgettable series about a homeless veteran turned local sleuth and vigilante. Follow up to the highly acclaimed The Man on the Street.
'FRESH, ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC AND GRITTY' - LEE CHILD
'CHARACTERS ARE EXCELLENT. RIVETING ... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - PATRICIA GIBNEY
'A TRIUMPHANT SEQUEL ... THE TENSION BUILDS TOWARDS ITS GRIPPING CONCLUSION' - HARRIET TYCE
A series of bizarre drug-related deaths among runaway teenagers has set the North East's homeless community on edge.
The word on the street is that a rogue batch of Spice - the zombie drug sweeping the inner cities - is to blame, but when one of Jimmy's few close friends is caught up in the carnage, loyalty compels him to find out what's really going on.
One Way Street sees the welcome return of Jimmy Mullen, the homeless, PTSD-suffering, veteran as he attempts to rebuild his life following the events in The Man on the Street.
As his probation officer constantly reminds him: all he needs to do is keep out of trouble. Sadly for him, trouble seems to have a habit of tracking Jimmy down.
'FRESH, ORIGINAL, AUTHENTIC AND GRITTY' - LEE CHILD
'CHARACTERS ARE EXCELLENT. RIVETING ... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - PATRICIA GIBNEY
'A TRIUMPHANT SEQUEL ... THE TENSION BUILDS TOWARDS ITS GRIPPING CONCLUSION' - HARRIET TYCE
A series of bizarre drug-related deaths among runaway teenagers has set the North East's homeless community on edge.
The word on the street is that a rogue batch of Spice - the zombie drug sweeping the inner cities - is to blame, but when one of Jimmy's few close friends is caught up in the carnage, loyalty compels him to find out what's really going on.
One Way Street sees the welcome return of Jimmy Mullen, the homeless, PTSD-suffering, veteran as he attempts to rebuild his life following the events in The Man on the Street.
As his probation officer constantly reminds him: all he needs to do is keep out of trouble. Sadly for him, trouble seems to have a habit of tracking Jimmy down.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
October 17, 2020
This is Trevor Wood's sequel to his cracking debut, The Man on the Street, featuring ex-naval, PTSD suffering, homeless sleuth, Jimmy Mullen, aka Sherlock Homeless, based in Newcastle. Much like the second album, the second book often does not come easy, as the author himself admits, and this did not feel as fluent at the beginning, and it took some time for my interest to be fully engaged but eventually it all works out and becomes a immersive and absorbing read. This novel revolves around the young homeless lad, Deano, that Jimmy and Gudge have befriended. In a novel that goes back and forth in time, we learn of Deano's traumatic background and family, a mother that neglected him, his younger brother, Ashley, playing truant from school, getting into trouble and ending up spending time in a young offender's institution at HMP Northallerton, unable to find and reconnect with his mother and Ashley upon release, being exploited on the streets until he is rescued, but still reliant on drugs to get him through in daily life.
It is Christmas and Deano is nowhere to be found as Gudge and Jimmy look for him, it turns out he had discovered accidentally from Colin, the vicar from St Thomas's, that Ash, his brother, was in Sunderland. In Sunderland, Deano had met Ginger and had a bad experience with spice, a drug used by many young and homeless people. On the streets, your friendships are everything, and as Jimmy tries to help Deano find Ash, it transpires the worst has happened as Ash's body is recovered from a bin, he had died from hypothermia whilst under the influence of spice. It soon becomes clear that a number of deaths have occurred, the young victims under the influence of a bad batch of spice, although one young girl, Amy Pearson, is rescued from drowning, but in a coma in hospital. As a face from the past comes back to haunt Deano, Jimmy investigates what lays behind the deaths, facing dangers as his life falls apart, his relationship with Julie under severe strain and he is forced to leave his hostel.
Wood does a terrific job in describing just how hard, terrifying and life threatening being homeless is, the life saving and necessary work done by the charity and volunteers who run The Pit, providing food and other services for those in need. I appreciated the character development in Jimmy, still suffering dreadful nightmares, he is attending group therapy sessions for the traumatised, and how those there provide help and assistance, such as Mac with his skills in the martial arts. Jimmy gets help with the IT proficient Gudge, is building a close relationship with his social worker daughter, Kate, reconnects with his ex-wife, Bev, and seeks refuge with Carrie, the nurse he had helped previously. This is a great and engaging addition to the series, and I was delighted to see that Jimmy just might be setting up as a PI. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
It is Christmas and Deano is nowhere to be found as Gudge and Jimmy look for him, it turns out he had discovered accidentally from Colin, the vicar from St Thomas's, that Ash, his brother, was in Sunderland. In Sunderland, Deano had met Ginger and had a bad experience with spice, a drug used by many young and homeless people. On the streets, your friendships are everything, and as Jimmy tries to help Deano find Ash, it transpires the worst has happened as Ash's body is recovered from a bin, he had died from hypothermia whilst under the influence of spice. It soon becomes clear that a number of deaths have occurred, the young victims under the influence of a bad batch of spice, although one young girl, Amy Pearson, is rescued from drowning, but in a coma in hospital. As a face from the past comes back to haunt Deano, Jimmy investigates what lays behind the deaths, facing dangers as his life falls apart, his relationship with Julie under severe strain and he is forced to leave his hostel.
Wood does a terrific job in describing just how hard, terrifying and life threatening being homeless is, the life saving and necessary work done by the charity and volunteers who run The Pit, providing food and other services for those in need. I appreciated the character development in Jimmy, still suffering dreadful nightmares, he is attending group therapy sessions for the traumatised, and how those there provide help and assistance, such as Mac with his skills in the martial arts. Jimmy gets help with the IT proficient Gudge, is building a close relationship with his social worker daughter, Kate, reconnects with his ex-wife, Bev, and seeks refuge with Carrie, the nurse he had helped previously. This is a great and engaging addition to the series, and I was delighted to see that Jimmy just might be setting up as a PI. Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
June 13, 2021
EXCERPT: One of the things he knew anything about was cars - he'd nicked enough of them - and he recognized the bare bones of some classics, even a newish looking Range Rover. His mum used to say that everything was disposable 'these days' - turned out she was right. He just wished the list didn't include him. Wanting to take a better look, he stood up too quickly and immediately felt sick again, ducking straight back down behind the shell of an old BMW, trying to get his breath under control, to stop his heart racing. It wasn't easy, not with them still after him, their knives ready to carve him open. If he listened carefully, he could hear them . . .
ABOUT 'ONE WAY STREET' (JIMMY MULLEN #2): A series of bizarre drug-related deaths among runaway teenagers has set the North East’s homeless community on edge.
The word on the street is that a rogue batch of Spice – the zombie drug sweeping the inner cities – is to blame, but when one of Jimmy’s few close friends is caught up in the carnage loyalty compels him to find out what’s really going on.
One Way Street sees the welcome return of Jimmy Mullen, the homeless, PTSD-suffering, veteran as he attempts to rebuild his life following the events in The Man on the Street.
As his probation officer constantly reminds him: all he needs to do is keep out of trouble. Sadly for him, trouble seems to have a habit of tracking Jimmy down.
MY THOUGHTS: Trevor Wood has created some very interesting characters. Not only Jimmy who suffers from PTSD, but the older Gadge, bordering on genius, the young Deano, a child really, substance and drug abuser, and, of course, Dog. All people with good hearts. Their methods of getting to the truth may be somewhat unorthodox, but they make for a damned good read. Even the skeptical policeman, DS Burns, whose life Jimmy saved in 'The Man on the Street' is an interesting character and comes into his own in this second book. Jimmy isn't slow to call in favours from him, but not so quick to share his information.
Even though this book is centred around drug dealing, something I usually prefer not to read about, I was excited to pick up 'One Way Street'. Wood's writing is easy to read, his dialogue natural. The plot swept me along and I became so caught up in the machinations of the characters, that the subject became almost irrelevant.
There is almost a little romance for Jimmy, and he reconnects with his ex-wife, mother of his daughter Kate. There is a lot of development in all the characters. We learn a lot more about the backgrounds of Gadge and Deano, and Jimmy once again demonstrates his unswerving commitment to his friends. Stubborn but loyal to a fault.
Wood also highlights the plight of the homeless, the reality of their situation, the difficulties they face; things that most of us give little thought to.
There is a great deal of violence in this book, but nothing that seemed gratuitous. It is the world as it exists for the people that this trio get involved with.
I am looking forward to meeting Jimmy (Sherlock Homeless) and his friends again. Nice work Mr Wood. P.s. - I enjoyed the pizza joke 🤣😂
⭐⭐⭐.8
#OneWayStreet #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Trevor Wood has lived in Newcastle for twenty-five years and considers himself an adopted Geordie. He's a successful playwright who has also worked as a journalist and spin-doctor for the City Council. Prior to that he served in the Royal Navy for sixteen years. (Google Books)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of One Way Street by Trevor Wood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'ONE WAY STREET' (JIMMY MULLEN #2): A series of bizarre drug-related deaths among runaway teenagers has set the North East’s homeless community on edge.
The word on the street is that a rogue batch of Spice – the zombie drug sweeping the inner cities – is to blame, but when one of Jimmy’s few close friends is caught up in the carnage loyalty compels him to find out what’s really going on.
One Way Street sees the welcome return of Jimmy Mullen, the homeless, PTSD-suffering, veteran as he attempts to rebuild his life following the events in The Man on the Street.
As his probation officer constantly reminds him: all he needs to do is keep out of trouble. Sadly for him, trouble seems to have a habit of tracking Jimmy down.
MY THOUGHTS: Trevor Wood has created some very interesting characters. Not only Jimmy who suffers from PTSD, but the older Gadge, bordering on genius, the young Deano, a child really, substance and drug abuser, and, of course, Dog. All people with good hearts. Their methods of getting to the truth may be somewhat unorthodox, but they make for a damned good read. Even the skeptical policeman, DS Burns, whose life Jimmy saved in 'The Man on the Street' is an interesting character and comes into his own in this second book. Jimmy isn't slow to call in favours from him, but not so quick to share his information.
Even though this book is centred around drug dealing, something I usually prefer not to read about, I was excited to pick up 'One Way Street'. Wood's writing is easy to read, his dialogue natural. The plot swept me along and I became so caught up in the machinations of the characters, that the subject became almost irrelevant.
There is almost a little romance for Jimmy, and he reconnects with his ex-wife, mother of his daughter Kate. There is a lot of development in all the characters. We learn a lot more about the backgrounds of Gadge and Deano, and Jimmy once again demonstrates his unswerving commitment to his friends. Stubborn but loyal to a fault.
Wood also highlights the plight of the homeless, the reality of their situation, the difficulties they face; things that most of us give little thought to.
There is a great deal of violence in this book, but nothing that seemed gratuitous. It is the world as it exists for the people that this trio get involved with.
I am looking forward to meeting Jimmy (Sherlock Homeless) and his friends again. Nice work Mr Wood. P.s. - I enjoyed the pizza joke 🤣😂
⭐⭐⭐.8
#OneWayStreet #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: Trevor Wood has lived in Newcastle for twenty-five years and considers himself an adopted Geordie. He's a successful playwright who has also worked as a journalist and spin-doctor for the City Council. Prior to that he served in the Royal Navy for sixteen years. (Google Books)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Quercus Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of One Way Street by Trevor Wood for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review and others are also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
May 20, 2021
4.5 stars
Jimmy Mullen is a homeless veteran who suffers from PTSD and uses his many skills to turn detective. When a series of strange and deadly drug related incidents occur, Jimmy is drawn into it and yet again fails to stay out of trouble although it’s all for the right reasons.
Instead of the famed taste of Newkie Brown we have here the dark flavour of Newcastle Noir! This brilliant ‘toon’ makes a fantastic backdrop to the storytelling and you can hear the Geordie accent in the excellent dialogue. Many of the characters are all on society’s periphery, they’ve all got traumatic, difficult and heartbreaking backgrounds which gives the novel a distinctive edge with the author dealing with this very compassionately. It shows the reality of homelessness and the difficulties faced but also shines a light on places that help such as The Pit Stop. It’s a very compelling and absorbing read which examines the underbelly through the premise of a lethal batch of spice. The characters are all well portrayed and the thing that strikes me the most is the loyalty of Jimmy, Gadge and Deano despite the danger they’re in. Jimmy is a terrific character- he’s very intelligent, brave with a good sense of humour though it does stray to the dark side which is no surprise! DS Andy Burns and Sandy the probation officer are excellent characters too, I especially like Sandy’s wry humour. I think one of the biggest strengths of the book is the characterisation. The plot is complex with some good twists and turns, it’s quite violent in places but never over the top. The storyline is gritty so it wouldn’t be realistic without characters who think with their fists or worse. The pace is quick throughout and maintains the interest as you try to work out the puzzles the plot presents and it has a good ending. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that life begins to improve for Jimmy and his pals as they all deserve a break.
Overall, this is such an enjoyable, well written book with plenty of thrills and spills. At times the lively and engaging writing feels tele-visual and I think it would make for terrific tv viewing with the backdrop of an atmospheric Newcastle.
Ps. Please sign me up for number 3!,
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Jimmy Mullen is a homeless veteran who suffers from PTSD and uses his many skills to turn detective. When a series of strange and deadly drug related incidents occur, Jimmy is drawn into it and yet again fails to stay out of trouble although it’s all for the right reasons.
Instead of the famed taste of Newkie Brown we have here the dark flavour of Newcastle Noir! This brilliant ‘toon’ makes a fantastic backdrop to the storytelling and you can hear the Geordie accent in the excellent dialogue. Many of the characters are all on society’s periphery, they’ve all got traumatic, difficult and heartbreaking backgrounds which gives the novel a distinctive edge with the author dealing with this very compassionately. It shows the reality of homelessness and the difficulties faced but also shines a light on places that help such as The Pit Stop. It’s a very compelling and absorbing read which examines the underbelly through the premise of a lethal batch of spice. The characters are all well portrayed and the thing that strikes me the most is the loyalty of Jimmy, Gadge and Deano despite the danger they’re in. Jimmy is a terrific character- he’s very intelligent, brave with a good sense of humour though it does stray to the dark side which is no surprise! DS Andy Burns and Sandy the probation officer are excellent characters too, I especially like Sandy’s wry humour. I think one of the biggest strengths of the book is the characterisation. The plot is complex with some good twists and turns, it’s quite violent in places but never over the top. The storyline is gritty so it wouldn’t be realistic without characters who think with their fists or worse. The pace is quick throughout and maintains the interest as you try to work out the puzzles the plot presents and it has a good ending. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that life begins to improve for Jimmy and his pals as they all deserve a break.
Overall, this is such an enjoyable, well written book with plenty of thrills and spills. At times the lively and engaging writing feels tele-visual and I think it would make for terrific tv viewing with the backdrop of an atmospheric Newcastle.
Ps. Please sign me up for number 3!,
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
November 1, 2020
One Way Street continues on from The Man on the Street, where we first met Jimmy Mullen, an ex British Navy officer and Falklands veteran. Suffering from PTSD after seeing his mates die in a horrific bombing and fire on his ship, and a spell in prison for an accidental killing, Jimmy is homeless, living on the gritty streets on Newcastle. He's doing better since his parole officer helped get him a room in a hostel and started attending group counseling. He has a community of friends amongst the homeless, is still seeing Julie, the girl he met in the previous novel and is back in touch with his estranged daughter. When Jimmy's young friend Deano needs help to look for his younger brother who he lost contact with when they were young, they stumble across a number of deaths and near deaths of teenagers that may be related to a dangerous new designer drug.
The difficulties of living on the street are dealt with compassionately in this novel by the author and each character has their own worth and dignity regardless of the reason they are on the streets. There are those who are cruel to the street people but there also the selfless volunteers who offer food and support to help people survive and get back on their feet. Jimmy is a wonderful character, intelligent and with a sense of humor, who has grown a lot since we first met him. While he may never get over his PTSD and nightmares, he has forged new friendships, a good relationship with his estranged daughter and regained his self esteem, while helping the police uncover who has been selling the deadly new drug to teenagers. He might just be ready to take on a new job and I can’t wait to see what the future holds in store for him. 4.5★
The difficulties of living on the street are dealt with compassionately in this novel by the author and each character has their own worth and dignity regardless of the reason they are on the streets. There are those who are cruel to the street people but there also the selfless volunteers who offer food and support to help people survive and get back on their feet. Jimmy is a wonderful character, intelligent and with a sense of humor, who has grown a lot since we first met him. While he may never get over his PTSD and nightmares, he has forged new friendships, a good relationship with his estranged daughter and regained his self esteem, while helping the police uncover who has been selling the deadly new drug to teenagers. He might just be ready to take on a new job and I can’t wait to see what the future holds in store for him. 4.5★
November 17, 2020
3.5★s
One Way Street is the 2nd book in the Jimmy Mullen series by Trevor Wood after The Man on the Street which I enjoyed. I found this one hard to get into initially, but it soon settled into rhythm with a bad batch of drugs on the street which was killing young people. Deano was in trouble and he, Gadge and Jimmy were searching for answers. The policeman who Jimmy had befriended, Andy Burns, listened to Jimmy, but wasn’t as sure as Jimmy was as to what was going on. So, Jimmy and the boys investigated; got themselves into trouble; but did their best to flush out the evil which was on the streets of Newcastle. But would they succeed?
One Way Street is a hardcore, gritty and intense crime thriller, with plenty of characters – both good and bad - plenty of action and an unusual main character in Jimmy Mullen! Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
One Way Street is the 2nd book in the Jimmy Mullen series by Trevor Wood after The Man on the Street which I enjoyed. I found this one hard to get into initially, but it soon settled into rhythm with a bad batch of drugs on the street which was killing young people. Deano was in trouble and he, Gadge and Jimmy were searching for answers. The policeman who Jimmy had befriended, Andy Burns, listened to Jimmy, but wasn’t as sure as Jimmy was as to what was going on. So, Jimmy and the boys investigated; got themselves into trouble; but did their best to flush out the evil which was on the streets of Newcastle. But would they succeed?
One Way Street is a hardcore, gritty and intense crime thriller, with plenty of characters – both good and bad - plenty of action and an unusual main character in Jimmy Mullen! Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
August 14, 2022
I think it's fair to say that I enjoyed this a little more than the first book in the series (which wasn't bad). Somehow this one felt as though it had a better flow to it. Pretty much the same characters as last time with Jimmy and his mates plus the now more friendly copper. We get to find out more about Jimmy's daughter too which I liked. This one concerns a bad batch of spice and is around Newcastle again. It doesn't seem to matter if young homeless people are dying to the police but it does to Jimmy. His interest in the subject obviously lands Jimmy in trouble with all kinds of people! For me this was a good second read book and I'll almost certainly read book 3 sometime.
October 27, 2020
Jimmy Mullen #2
A series of bizarre drug related deaths amongst runaway teenagers has set the North East's homeless community on edge. There's a rogue batch of spice sweeping the inner city's is being blamed. One of Jimmy's few close friends is caught up in the carnage. Jimmy Mullen is the homeless, PTSD suffering veteran wjomis trying to rebuild his life.
Jimmy is determined to find out who is behind the bad batch of designer drugs. But he doesn't realise just how dangerous this could be. There is some interesting characters and we learn a little more of their backgrounds. The story jumps back and forwards in time. This is a well written story. It did take me a little longer to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked. The plotline is complex. I can't wait for the third installment of this series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #TrevorWood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A series of bizarre drug related deaths amongst runaway teenagers has set the North East's homeless community on edge. There's a rogue batch of spice sweeping the inner city's is being blamed. One of Jimmy's few close friends is caught up in the carnage. Jimmy Mullen is the homeless, PTSD suffering veteran wjomis trying to rebuild his life.
Jimmy is determined to find out who is behind the bad batch of designer drugs. But he doesn't realise just how dangerous this could be. There is some interesting characters and we learn a little more of their backgrounds. The story jumps back and forwards in time. This is a well written story. It did take me a little longer to get into this book, but once I did, I was hooked. The plotline is complex. I can't wait for the third installment of this series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #TrevorWood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2022
In his author’s note, Trevor Wood states that it is difficult to write a follow-up book after the main characters have been introduced — difficult to decide what to repeat for readers who haven’t read the first book in the series. Having completed the first book (“The Man On The Street”) only a week before I read this one (ONE WAY STREET), I didn’t find much redundancy. If anything, the reader who first picked up ONE WAY STREET might have found this story difficult to follow — certainly they would not have understood all the interconnections among the characters without reading “The Man On The Street”.
Jimmy Mullen is again the main character in ONE WAY STREET, but the plot primarily revolves around his friend Deano, a young drug addict, and chasing the source of a bad dose of drugs that is killing teenagers. There is again a very powerful rendition of how it is to live on the street — the author shows what such a life involves, doesn’t simply tell the story. Although still experiencing some PTSD episodes, Jimmy is evolving, developing a degree of self-awareness. Not so his friend Deano, who is still caught up in the drug scene. Because this is Deano’s story as well as Jimmy’s, I didn’t find the plot as compelling as the plot of “The Man On The Street”.
I thought that the author rendered “Geordie” well in this book — the special way that people from Newcastle Upon Tyne speak. I found it easy to follow the narrative while still providing examples of the unique speech pattern.
Because the main villain was fairly easy to spot, and because there were fewer plot threads to untangle, I felt this was a 4.5-star novel, and not a definite 5-star one like the first one in the series. What pushed my rating up rather than down was a scene near the end — the description of how Gadge handles the problem of Becket. This “Revenge is Sweet” scene came out of the blue for me, and was so powerful a scene that I decided to give the book five stars.
NOTE: I wrote this last paragraph before I read the third (and final) book in the series where this scene was described near the beginning of that third novel and consequently didn’t have nearly such an impact as it did when it was shown rather than described. So read ONE WAY STREET before reading the final book in the series.
Jimmy Mullen is again the main character in ONE WAY STREET, but the plot primarily revolves around his friend Deano, a young drug addict, and chasing the source of a bad dose of drugs that is killing teenagers. There is again a very powerful rendition of how it is to live on the street — the author shows what such a life involves, doesn’t simply tell the story. Although still experiencing some PTSD episodes, Jimmy is evolving, developing a degree of self-awareness. Not so his friend Deano, who is still caught up in the drug scene. Because this is Deano’s story as well as Jimmy’s, I didn’t find the plot as compelling as the plot of “The Man On The Street”.
I thought that the author rendered “Geordie” well in this book — the special way that people from Newcastle Upon Tyne speak. I found it easy to follow the narrative while still providing examples of the unique speech pattern.
Because the main villain was fairly easy to spot, and because there were fewer plot threads to untangle, I felt this was a 4.5-star novel, and not a definite 5-star one like the first one in the series. What pushed my rating up rather than down was a scene near the end — the description of how Gadge handles the problem of Becket. This “Revenge is Sweet” scene came out of the blue for me, and was so powerful a scene that I decided to give the book five stars.
NOTE: I wrote this last paragraph before I read the third (and final) book in the series where this scene was described near the beginning of that third novel and consequently didn’t have nearly such an impact as it did when it was shown rather than described. So read ONE WAY STREET before reading the final book in the series.
June 10, 2021
Having described Trevor Wood’s previous book, The Man On The Street as compelling and unerringly perceptive, with it gaining a spot in my Top Ten of 2020, I was more than a little excited to be transported once again to the homeless community of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and the trials that await Jimmy, a unique, unofficial and sometimes reluctant private detective…
One of the major things that impresses me about Wood’s writing both here, and in the previous book, is the way he captures and depicts the underclass that exists just beneath the surface of society, and the unfairness and prejudice with which they are labelled and treated. Bearing in mind that everyone is only one step away from possible homelessness at all times, for a vast variety of reasons, Woods always seeks to really humanise his characters, depicting them not as the commonly perceived idea of this community as being violent and threatening, but a group of people with flaws and weaknesses that have led to them slipping through the cracks of society, some of them through no fault of their own. Woods paints a vivid and perceptive picture of life on the street, the underlying threat of street violence, the fear of abuse, the exploitation of addiction, the fragility of familial bonds, and the cloak of invisibility as ‘normal’ people go about their business around them, but also the friendships and camaraderie that can ease the pain of life on the fringes of society.
Despite the very human failings of addiction and so on, there is a moral code at work here, epitomised by Jimmy the central character, his homeless buddies Gadge and Deano, and those they interact with in the more ‘respectable’ walks of life in the police and probation service. Jimmy, in particular, has acquired a certain degree of respect after the events of the last book, which has led to a symbiotic relationship with a police detective, Andy Burns, as well as the respect, and sometimes disrespect, of his peers in the homeless community. Wood’s characterisation is brilliantly drawn once again, perfectly capturing the fear and personal upsets of his band of characters, but also the moments of affectionate ribald humour and strong feeling of solidarity, as one character jokingly puts it the sense of all for one, and one for all.
Although still in the grip of PTSD episodes, a consequence of his previous naval career, Jimmy is picking his way through life with more settled accommodation, the chance of love and a further rebuilding of his relationship with his previously estranged daughter Kate, until trouble rears its ugly head. When Deano, his young homeless friend goes missing, Jimmy is compelled to find out why and how this has happened, drawing him into a sordid world of exploitation and drugs, and more than a whiff of trouble. With all the recent press coverage on county lines and using kids to transport drugs across the country, Wood takes an interesting angle on this theme, and we find the power behind this particular throne is not as obvious as it first appears. The grim world of drug dependency, and those that profit from them is put into crystal clear focus, and portrays a dispiriting, but unfortunately, realistic view of the temptations, financial gain, and self destruction that drugs provide.
Once again, Woods uses his setting of Newcastle Upon Tyne and it’s surrounds in One Way Street to great effect, that even as a non-native reader, you will get a sense of the city, its energy- good and bad- and what makes it tick, stoicism, football, and poking fun at Mackems (Sunderland dwellers) feature highly, which as a former resident of this great city always leads to a snigger or two. If you like any of the crime writers who specialise in urban crime, you will definitely enjoy the virtual exploration of the city that Wood provides, and his depiction of the slightly tarnished sheen that all cities have under the surface. I’m a real admirer of this writer’s work and delighted that this book is such a sharp and insightful follow up to his debut last year. Highly recommended.
One of the major things that impresses me about Wood’s writing both here, and in the previous book, is the way he captures and depicts the underclass that exists just beneath the surface of society, and the unfairness and prejudice with which they are labelled and treated. Bearing in mind that everyone is only one step away from possible homelessness at all times, for a vast variety of reasons, Woods always seeks to really humanise his characters, depicting them not as the commonly perceived idea of this community as being violent and threatening, but a group of people with flaws and weaknesses that have led to them slipping through the cracks of society, some of them through no fault of their own. Woods paints a vivid and perceptive picture of life on the street, the underlying threat of street violence, the fear of abuse, the exploitation of addiction, the fragility of familial bonds, and the cloak of invisibility as ‘normal’ people go about their business around them, but also the friendships and camaraderie that can ease the pain of life on the fringes of society.
Despite the very human failings of addiction and so on, there is a moral code at work here, epitomised by Jimmy the central character, his homeless buddies Gadge and Deano, and those they interact with in the more ‘respectable’ walks of life in the police and probation service. Jimmy, in particular, has acquired a certain degree of respect after the events of the last book, which has led to a symbiotic relationship with a police detective, Andy Burns, as well as the respect, and sometimes disrespect, of his peers in the homeless community. Wood’s characterisation is brilliantly drawn once again, perfectly capturing the fear and personal upsets of his band of characters, but also the moments of affectionate ribald humour and strong feeling of solidarity, as one character jokingly puts it the sense of all for one, and one for all.
Although still in the grip of PTSD episodes, a consequence of his previous naval career, Jimmy is picking his way through life with more settled accommodation, the chance of love and a further rebuilding of his relationship with his previously estranged daughter Kate, until trouble rears its ugly head. When Deano, his young homeless friend goes missing, Jimmy is compelled to find out why and how this has happened, drawing him into a sordid world of exploitation and drugs, and more than a whiff of trouble. With all the recent press coverage on county lines and using kids to transport drugs across the country, Wood takes an interesting angle on this theme, and we find the power behind this particular throne is not as obvious as it first appears. The grim world of drug dependency, and those that profit from them is put into crystal clear focus, and portrays a dispiriting, but unfortunately, realistic view of the temptations, financial gain, and self destruction that drugs provide.
Once again, Woods uses his setting of Newcastle Upon Tyne and it’s surrounds in One Way Street to great effect, that even as a non-native reader, you will get a sense of the city, its energy- good and bad- and what makes it tick, stoicism, football, and poking fun at Mackems (Sunderland dwellers) feature highly, which as a former resident of this great city always leads to a snigger or two. If you like any of the crime writers who specialise in urban crime, you will definitely enjoy the virtual exploration of the city that Wood provides, and his depiction of the slightly tarnished sheen that all cities have under the surface. I’m a real admirer of this writer’s work and delighted that this book is such a sharp and insightful follow up to his debut last year. Highly recommended.
June 8, 2021
Excellent. Review to follow.
October 27, 2020
Jimmy Mullen #2
A series of bizarre drug related deaths against runaway teenagers has set the North East's homeless community on edge. There's a rogue batch of spice sweeping the inner city's is being blamed. One of Jimmy's few close friends is caught up in the carnage. Jimmy Mullen is the homeless, PTSD suffering veteran who is trying to rebuild his life.
Jimmy is determined to find out who is behind the bad batch of designer drugs. But he doesn't realise how dangerous this could be. There is some interesting characters and we learn a little more of their backgrounds. The story jumps back and forward in time. This is a well written story. It did take me a little longer to get into this book, ut once I did I was hooked. The plot line is complex. I can't wait for the third installment of this series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #TrevorWood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A series of bizarre drug related deaths against runaway teenagers has set the North East's homeless community on edge. There's a rogue batch of spice sweeping the inner city's is being blamed. One of Jimmy's few close friends is caught up in the carnage. Jimmy Mullen is the homeless, PTSD suffering veteran who is trying to rebuild his life.
Jimmy is determined to find out who is behind the bad batch of designer drugs. But he doesn't realise how dangerous this could be. There is some interesting characters and we learn a little more of their backgrounds. The story jumps back and forward in time. This is a well written story. It did take me a little longer to get into this book, ut once I did I was hooked. The plot line is complex. I can't wait for the third installment of this series.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #QuercusBooks and the author #TrevorWood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
June 8, 2021This is Trevor Wood's second offering, his debut The Man on the Street absolutely blew my socks off, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of One Way Street.
We meet back up with the Jimmy Mullen. For those who haven't read Wood's first book, Jimmy is an ex navy man who suffers with PTSD. A combination of his residual mental health issues from the Navy and some bad choices have left Jimmy homeless.
This story isn't as focussed on Jimmy and his issues, but instead it's more about a character we were introduced to in the first book; the loveable rogue Deano. When a bad batch of the drug spice is leading to the deaths of several young people in Newcastle, Jimmy becomes embroiled in trying to find the dealers who have disseminated the drugs when Deano's younger brother Ashely is killed in the fallout. As we jump timelines (learning about Deano's childhood and what led him to be the homeless addict he now is) we find out that the truth is like going down the rabbit hole. How far will Jimmy go to learn the truth? And at what personal cost?
I really like Jimmy and rooted for him, Gadge and Deano. Finding out about Deano's past was heart breaking. In the first book I got so frustrated with Deano slipping back into his drug addled state, but finding about the abuse he'd endured gave him a depth that really added to the story. I also give Wood kudos for not abandoning or acknowledging Jimmy's continued struggle. He attends group meetings and is trying to work through his demons, but the nightmares still keep coming.
One of the standout parts of the book is the descriptions of being homeless. It was gritty, terrifying and humbling. To have your protagonist as a homeless man is very original, it makes you think about the struggles of the individual.
I also think that the backdrop of Newcastle and Sunderland are almost a character themselves. My family roots are this way and I know (some) of the areas in the book well. The descriptions of some of the places are so accurate, I felt that I was walking down the streets with Jimmy.
This is a cracking second instalment to the Jimmy Mullen series, I can't wait for the next one! A cracking 4 star read for me.
I would like to thank Ella Patel from Quercus Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
We meet back up with the Jimmy Mullen. For those who haven't read Wood's first book, Jimmy is an ex navy man who suffers with PTSD. A combination of his residual mental health issues from the Navy and some bad choices have left Jimmy homeless.
This story isn't as focussed on Jimmy and his issues, but instead it's more about a character we were introduced to in the first book; the loveable rogue Deano. When a bad batch of the drug spice is leading to the deaths of several young people in Newcastle, Jimmy becomes embroiled in trying to find the dealers who have disseminated the drugs when Deano's younger brother Ashely is killed in the fallout. As we jump timelines (learning about Deano's childhood and what led him to be the homeless addict he now is) we find out that the truth is like going down the rabbit hole. How far will Jimmy go to learn the truth? And at what personal cost?
I really like Jimmy and rooted for him, Gadge and Deano. Finding out about Deano's past was heart breaking. In the first book I got so frustrated with Deano slipping back into his drug addled state, but finding about the abuse he'd endured gave him a depth that really added to the story. I also give Wood kudos for not abandoning or acknowledging Jimmy's continued struggle. He attends group meetings and is trying to work through his demons, but the nightmares still keep coming.
One of the standout parts of the book is the descriptions of being homeless. It was gritty, terrifying and humbling. To have your protagonist as a homeless man is very original, it makes you think about the struggles of the individual.
I also think that the backdrop of Newcastle and Sunderland are almost a character themselves. My family roots are this way and I know (some) of the areas in the book well. The descriptions of some of the places are so accurate, I felt that I was walking down the streets with Jimmy.
This is a cracking second instalment to the Jimmy Mullen series, I can't wait for the next one! A cracking 4 star read for me.
I would like to thank Ella Patel from Quercus Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
October 29, 2020
I was so impressed with book 1 that I was really keen to read this even though though it has a drugs theme which generally I don’t like reading about. It was great to catch up with Jimmy and Dog again. There is something about Trevor Wood’s writing that makes it really easy to read and perfect as a distraction for me as I was stressing about moving house. Perhaps there was a little bit of counting my blessings too as I at least have a house unlike most of the characters here. Deano featured heavily in this book and we learned the story of his troubled childhood and early teenage years. He is another great character and while the plot is good with lots of twists and turns, I think the strength of these books is the characters. I sincerely hope there will be more to come in this series as it kind of feels like we are just getting started. This is best read as a follow up to The Man on the Street but would work as a standalone.
June 11, 2024
Very good. Probably even better than the first one.
October 19, 2020
North-East England: Newcastle and Sunderland: a crime landscape usually frequented by Ann Cleeves and Vera but now there are some new kids on the block: Trevor Wood and Jimmy, oh, and I mustn't forget Dog. I rather think they've come to stay. I don't think Vera will mind.
Trevor Wood writes with great affection for his characters. It permeates every single page. The plot unfolds well and never lags for a moment.
J. Jefferson Farjeon wrote several novels in the 1930s using a homeless man, Ben, as his investigator. It is good to see Jimmy as a modern reincarnation. A timely, gritty novel by a writer we are going to hear a lot more from.
Trevor Wood writes with great affection for his characters. It permeates every single page. The plot unfolds well and never lags for a moment.
J. Jefferson Farjeon wrote several novels in the 1930s using a homeless man, Ben, as his investigator. It is good to see Jimmy as a modern reincarnation. A timely, gritty novel by a writer we are going to hear a lot more from.
October 24, 2020
This is the excellent second book about homeless navy veteran and amateur detective Jimmy and his friends Deano, Gadge and of course the fabulous 4 legged friend, “Dog”.
In this episode we learn more about the background of the main characters but especially young Deano when he decides to look for his little brother, Ash, whom he has not seen for many years.
This quest leads to a drugs conspiracy affecting several young teenagers and Jimmy decides to help Deano investigate and find out what has happened.
All the same characters are in this book and they are developed well including their relationships with each other. We have Jimmy’s unlikely friendship with policeman Burns and his love interest with Julie which appears to be progressing well!
He still suffers from nightmares due to PTSD but he is attending group therapy sessions so his mental health is improving.
Deano’s childhood and teen years are discussed in flashbacks and the reader learns about some horrifying episodes and people, one of whom makes a reappearance. Life for a homeless teenager is not easy at all and Trevor Wood describes all this in gritty detail which stays with the reader long after the book is finished.
This is definitely a follow on novel but even if you haven’t read the first book you will still enjoy this one. In my opinion you have got a real treat in store if you decide to read them both!
As in book one I really loved the Newcastle setting of One Way Street, an area obviously well known to the author.
I’m now really hoping that there will be a book 3 and that I will not have to wait too long to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
In this episode we learn more about the background of the main characters but especially young Deano when he decides to look for his little brother, Ash, whom he has not seen for many years.
This quest leads to a drugs conspiracy affecting several young teenagers and Jimmy decides to help Deano investigate and find out what has happened.
All the same characters are in this book and they are developed well including their relationships with each other. We have Jimmy’s unlikely friendship with policeman Burns and his love interest with Julie which appears to be progressing well!
He still suffers from nightmares due to PTSD but he is attending group therapy sessions so his mental health is improving.
Deano’s childhood and teen years are discussed in flashbacks and the reader learns about some horrifying episodes and people, one of whom makes a reappearance. Life for a homeless teenager is not easy at all and Trevor Wood describes all this in gritty detail which stays with the reader long after the book is finished.
This is definitely a follow on novel but even if you haven’t read the first book you will still enjoy this one. In my opinion you have got a real treat in store if you decide to read them both!
As in book one I really loved the Newcastle setting of One Way Street, an area obviously well known to the author.
I’m now really hoping that there will be a book 3 and that I will not have to wait too long to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2020
I blooming loved the first in this series - The Man on the Street - and raved about it to everybody. So... with that in mind, I was a wee tad scared to start this, the (in my case anyway) long awaited sequel. Pfft - shouldn't have worried - loved it just as much - are you listening book buddies?
In Jimmy Mullen, the author has created one of my new favourite characters. There is no one like him in any other book series I read and it's like a breath of fresh air reconnecting to him once again. He's got a bit of a past - obviously as he has ended up on the streets - but he's smart and loyal and all things in between as he strives to keep himself and his friends safe.
We start at Christmas and Jimmy's friend Deano is missing. When he eventually turns up he explains that he has been trying to find his brother. Meanwhile we find out that there are some bad drugs which appear to be in circulation culminating in a couple of street deaths. With the police trying to do their best with what they have, which isn't nearly enough, Jimmy takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of what is happening.
And that's all I am going to say about the plot of this one. Less is definitely more going into this book as the author does such a good job of drip feeding information that anything you know ahead of time might spoil things. I've already said how much I love Jimmy as a character. He really is the complete package for me - his own past and story of how he ended up where he is - his family and how he is trying to make amends - his street family and how he protects them and himself as best he can.
Hats off definitely to the author for the way he had portrayed the homeless, their struggle and the places and people who try and help them. Both professionally and, like the librarian, just being kind.
But characters, great as they may be, can't make a book on their own. They need a story to act out and here we have one heck of an intriguing one. One which flummoxed me along the way as it twisted and turned to a really rather satisfying conclusion.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what was one of my favourite books of 2019. I'd be surprised if this wasn't same for 2020. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
In Jimmy Mullen, the author has created one of my new favourite characters. There is no one like him in any other book series I read and it's like a breath of fresh air reconnecting to him once again. He's got a bit of a past - obviously as he has ended up on the streets - but he's smart and loyal and all things in between as he strives to keep himself and his friends safe.
We start at Christmas and Jimmy's friend Deano is missing. When he eventually turns up he explains that he has been trying to find his brother. Meanwhile we find out that there are some bad drugs which appear to be in circulation culminating in a couple of street deaths. With the police trying to do their best with what they have, which isn't nearly enough, Jimmy takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of what is happening.
And that's all I am going to say about the plot of this one. Less is definitely more going into this book as the author does such a good job of drip feeding information that anything you know ahead of time might spoil things. I've already said how much I love Jimmy as a character. He really is the complete package for me - his own past and story of how he ended up where he is - his family and how he is trying to make amends - his street family and how he protects them and himself as best he can.
Hats off definitely to the author for the way he had portrayed the homeless, their struggle and the places and people who try and help them. Both professionally and, like the librarian, just being kind.
But characters, great as they may be, can't make a book on their own. They need a story to act out and here we have one heck of an intriguing one. One which flummoxed me along the way as it twisted and turned to a really rather satisfying conclusion.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what was one of my favourite books of 2019. I'd be surprised if this wasn't same for 2020. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
November 27, 2020
The second gritty Newcastle-set thriller in this unforgettable series about a homeless veteran turned local sleuth and vigilante. Follow up to the highly acclaimed The Man on the Street.
A series of bizarre drug-related deaths among runaway teenagers has set the North East’s homeless community on edge.
The word on the street is that a rogue batch of Spice – the zombie drug sweeping the inner cities – is to blame, but when one of Jimmy’s few close friends is caught up in the carnage loyalty compels him to find out what’s really going on.
One Way Street sees the welcome return of Jimmy Mullen, the homeless, PTSD-suffering, veteran as he attempts to rebuild his life following the events in The Man on the Street.
As his probation officer constantly reminds him: all he needs to do is keep out of trouble. Sadly for him, trouble seems to have a habit of tracking Jimmy down.
A series of bizarre drug-related deaths among runaway teenagers has set the North East’s homeless community on edge.
The word on the street is that a rogue batch of Spice – the zombie drug sweeping the inner cities – is to blame, but when one of Jimmy’s few close friends is caught up in the carnage loyalty compels him to find out what’s really going on.
One Way Street sees the welcome return of Jimmy Mullen, the homeless, PTSD-suffering, veteran as he attempts to rebuild his life following the events in The Man on the Street.
As his probation officer constantly reminds him: all he needs to do is keep out of trouble. Sadly for him, trouble seems to have a habit of tracking Jimmy down.
February 23, 2022
Jimmy Mullen is back and finds himself caught up in lethal drugs on the street, and because they’ve impacted on his friends he’s honour bound to help. Sadly though he’s on probation and his Officer won’t be too pleased. Jimmy is a good man though caught up in a difficult world and will always seek justice.
The sequel to Trevor Wood’s The Man on the Street and this doesn’t suffer any second book syndrome, it’s another cracker. Jimmy Mullen is a really interesting character, he’s a homeless man so deprived of all the traits your normal sleuth would have but the stories are really gripping and creative. Bring on book three.
The sequel to Trevor Wood’s The Man on the Street and this doesn’t suffer any second book syndrome, it’s another cracker. Jimmy Mullen is a really interesting character, he’s a homeless man so deprived of all the traits your normal sleuth would have but the stories are really gripping and creative. Bring on book three.
October 27, 2020
This might be set around Christmas but it's a Christmas in gritty, dark Newcastle where drug barons sell terrible things to vulnerable people. Jimmy, a veteran with issues who is intermittently homeless. finds himself helping his young friend Deano search for his brother Ash. Ash, sadly, is found dead in a bin, in part due to a bad dose of Spice, a pernicious drug. This sets Jimmy, along with his friends, into an effort to find the source of the drugs. While the crime aspects of this might take center stage, it's also very much the story of a man struggling with his place in the world and trying to cope with his demons. Wood doesn't pull punches about homelessness. I missed the first book so this was a standalone for me- and it was fine that way. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good atmospheric read with an unusual and vital protagonist.
October 22, 2021
Wood, once again manages to bring his characters to life by giving us a real sense of the community that they inhabit...
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January 22, 2023
I want to wrap Deano up in a blanket and give him a hot chocolate.
Another brilliant Geordie crime novel from Trevor Wood. I really enjoyed spending more time with Jimmy, Deano and Gadge (and Dog, of course), and all the other great characters.
Another brilliant Geordie crime novel from Trevor Wood. I really enjoyed spending more time with Jimmy, Deano and Gadge (and Dog, of course), and all the other great characters.
June 28, 2025
Great series.
July 14, 2023
Excellent
October 19, 2020
One Way Street is the 2nd book from Trevor Wood featuring his homeless protagonist Jimmy Mullen, an ex Navy Officer who suffers from terrible PTSD.
This story set in Newcastle at Christmas Time finds Jimmy looking into the deaths of young drug users, when his close friend Deano, who has a drug problem goes missing. Fearing the worst, Jimmy soon discovers that there is a rogue batch of the awful ‘spice’ drugs on the street.
With the help of the returning Gadge and Dog, Jimmy is soon on the case as Trevor Wood brings to life his brilliantly created characters.
This Gritty, Urban and authentic feeling mystery thriller is a real cracker.
Following on from Man on the Street was always going to be a difficult task and Trevor Wood has absolutely nailed it.
Tough, uncompromising, gripping and tenacious, this is a crime thriller that will pull you in to the cold, dark and harsh realties of Street Life.
With hints toward more in the series, I for one can’t wait for more from Jimmy, Deano, Gadge and Dog and Highly Recommend the thoroughly captivating, One Way Street.
4🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thanks to Quercus Books and Net Galley for the ARC
This story set in Newcastle at Christmas Time finds Jimmy looking into the deaths of young drug users, when his close friend Deano, who has a drug problem goes missing. Fearing the worst, Jimmy soon discovers that there is a rogue batch of the awful ‘spice’ drugs on the street.
With the help of the returning Gadge and Dog, Jimmy is soon on the case as Trevor Wood brings to life his brilliantly created characters.
This Gritty, Urban and authentic feeling mystery thriller is a real cracker.
Following on from Man on the Street was always going to be a difficult task and Trevor Wood has absolutely nailed it.
Tough, uncompromising, gripping and tenacious, this is a crime thriller that will pull you in to the cold, dark and harsh realties of Street Life.
With hints toward more in the series, I for one can’t wait for more from Jimmy, Deano, Gadge and Dog and Highly Recommend the thoroughly captivating, One Way Street.
4🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thanks to Quercus Books and Net Galley for the ARC
October 27, 2024
A gripping story with believable characters fighting against the odds. Much better than book 1 in this series, but you really do need to read them in order.
October 18, 2020
The second book from Trevor Wood returns to the streets of Newcastle with Jimmy, Dog and their band of friends and acquaintances. The first outing was a New Blood Pick for the Crime Writers Festival in Harrogate which unearths some true gems (think Jane Harper, Abir Mukherjee and Will Dean in recent years), which sets a bar that Trevor Wood is a superb talent.
I was hugely looking forward to this book and it didn’t disappoint. Subjectively, I love reading about Newcastle ... events happening on streets I walked earlier the same day (with my own dog who appears to be less well behaved than Jimmy’s canine companion; Dog).
The characters are superb. Each had issues but all are a pleasure to join again. The wider concerns of homelessness is smartly tackled and has led me to the website for the People’s Kitchen to see how to help.
The plot took a little longer to get going this time around but was hugely enjoyable nonetheless. I’ll be eagerly hoping for a 3rd instalment.
Thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for an advanced copy in consideration of an honest review.
I was hugely looking forward to this book and it didn’t disappoint. Subjectively, I love reading about Newcastle ... events happening on streets I walked earlier the same day (with my own dog who appears to be less well behaved than Jimmy’s canine companion; Dog).
The characters are superb. Each had issues but all are a pleasure to join again. The wider concerns of homelessness is smartly tackled and has led me to the website for the People’s Kitchen to see how to help.
The plot took a little longer to get going this time around but was hugely enjoyable nonetheless. I’ll be eagerly hoping for a 3rd instalment.
Thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for an advanced copy in consideration of an honest review.
October 17, 2020
One Way Street is the second title in Trevor Wood's Jimmy Mullen mystery series. This is a new series for me, and I'm very glad to have come across it.
Jimmy, the amateur investigator in the series is a veteran of the Faulklands War with PTSD who has been living on the streets. He's got his demons and hasn't completely overcome them, but he's learned a great deal since returning from combat, reconnected with his daughter, and made some troubled, if reliable friends, among the homeless community. When a bad batch of a designer drugs hits the streets, Jimmy feels driven to investigate. The case is complicated, and more dangerous than he'd anticipated.
The writing here is top-notch, with crisp dialogue, complex plotting, and well-developed characters. If you like a non-cozy mystery, you are going to enjoy this title. I'll be going back to purchase and read the first volume in this series. Then I'll just have to try to remain patient while waiting to see if Jimmy will be coming my way again.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes, The opinions are my own.
Jimmy, the amateur investigator in the series is a veteran of the Faulklands War with PTSD who has been living on the streets. He's got his demons and hasn't completely overcome them, but he's learned a great deal since returning from combat, reconnected with his daughter, and made some troubled, if reliable friends, among the homeless community. When a bad batch of a designer drugs hits the streets, Jimmy feels driven to investigate. The case is complicated, and more dangerous than he'd anticipated.
The writing here is top-notch, with crisp dialogue, complex plotting, and well-developed characters. If you like a non-cozy mystery, you are going to enjoy this title. I'll be going back to purchase and read the first volume in this series. Then I'll just have to try to remain patient while waiting to see if Jimmy will be coming my way again.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes, The opinions are my own.
August 18, 2021
This is the cracking sequel to "The Man on the Street" & all the elements that I so enjoyed in that are here again.
This time Jimmy Mullen is "investigating" a series of drug related deaths that the police apparently have no interest in taking further. Jimmy's involvement comes about because of his young friend Deano & the death of his younger brother Ash. Much of the story focuses on Deano &, as the story moves back & forth in time, we learn of his troubled past & how he ended up on the street - sadly it's a very convincing story.
Jimmy's probation officer has warned him to keep out of trouble but that is something that isn't going to happen. As Jimmy tries to track down those involved in spreading the dodgy drug "spice", he finds himself on the wrong end of a beating, ruining his relationship with Julie & putting those he loves & cares about at risk. The plot's complexities unfold well &, as connections between events & characters are revealed, the situation for Jimmy & co becomes more & more dangerous, culminating in a nail-biting conclusion.
The grimness of life on the street, the prejudice & cruelty suffered are convincingly portrayed. On being viciously beaten again & again, how heart-breaking is it that one character's thought is "He'd had worse". Despite this harsh life...or maybe because of it...the camaraderie & loyalty between Jimmy, Deano & Gadge shines through & in this trio...sorry, make that quartet best not forget Dog...Wood has created characters that you can't help but care about. Gadge is one I particularly like - I loved his way of "dealing" with Becket ;o) - & hopefully more of his past will be revealed in future episodes.
Overall it's a well-written gripping story that keeps you hooked from start to finish & I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
This time Jimmy Mullen is "investigating" a series of drug related deaths that the police apparently have no interest in taking further. Jimmy's involvement comes about because of his young friend Deano & the death of his younger brother Ash. Much of the story focuses on Deano &, as the story moves back & forth in time, we learn of his troubled past & how he ended up on the street - sadly it's a very convincing story.
Jimmy's probation officer has warned him to keep out of trouble but that is something that isn't going to happen. As Jimmy tries to track down those involved in spreading the dodgy drug "spice", he finds himself on the wrong end of a beating, ruining his relationship with Julie & putting those he loves & cares about at risk. The plot's complexities unfold well &, as connections between events & characters are revealed, the situation for Jimmy & co becomes more & more dangerous, culminating in a nail-biting conclusion.
The grimness of life on the street, the prejudice & cruelty suffered are convincingly portrayed. On being viciously beaten again & again, how heart-breaking is it that one character's thought is "He'd had worse". Despite this harsh life...or maybe because of it...the camaraderie & loyalty between Jimmy, Deano & Gadge shines through & in this trio...sorry, make that quartet best not forget Dog...Wood has created characters that you can't help but care about. Gadge is one I particularly like - I loved his way of "dealing" with Becket ;o) - & hopefully more of his past will be revealed in future episodes.
Overall it's a well-written gripping story that keeps you hooked from start to finish & I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
December 22, 2020
I was really looking forward to reading this book -
One Way Street
- Trevor Wood's sequel to his cracking début The Man on the Street, featuring ex-naval, PTSD suffering, homeless sleuth, Jimmy Mullen, based in Newcastle. The plot unfolds well and although it took a while to become fully engaged in the story, it gradually became an immersive read.
The thrust of the story is set at Christmastime, around the deaths of young victims as a result of taking a bad batch of spice. Young and homeless Deano, befriended by Jimmy and Gadge, has had a traumatic life. The reader learns of his background and family, including his neglectful mum and Ashley, his younger brother. In a novel that goes back and forth in time, Deano needs some help in finding Ashley and following up on a lead that takes him to Sunderland, it becomes apparent that a body found in a bin is his brother. As a face from the past comes back to haunt Deano, Jimmy investigates what is behind the deaths, facing dangers, relationship strains and other catastrophes.
Rapidly turning the pages as various twists kept coming I was thoroughly engrossed in One Way Street. Trevor Wood's terrific writing expertly described how hard, frightening and life-threatening being homeless must be. I appreciated the character development in Jimmy, who suffers from dreadful nightmares, though he is attending group therapy sessions for the traumatised, has made some friends and has regained his self-esteem. With the gritty, enthralling plot-line, this is a great addition to the series, and Jimmy might be ready to take on a new role. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
The thrust of the story is set at Christmastime, around the deaths of young victims as a result of taking a bad batch of spice. Young and homeless Deano, befriended by Jimmy and Gadge, has had a traumatic life. The reader learns of his background and family, including his neglectful mum and Ashley, his younger brother. In a novel that goes back and forth in time, Deano needs some help in finding Ashley and following up on a lead that takes him to Sunderland, it becomes apparent that a body found in a bin is his brother. As a face from the past comes back to haunt Deano, Jimmy investigates what is behind the deaths, facing dangers, relationship strains and other catastrophes.
Rapidly turning the pages as various twists kept coming I was thoroughly engrossed in One Way Street. Trevor Wood's terrific writing expertly described how hard, frightening and life-threatening being homeless must be. I appreciated the character development in Jimmy, who suffers from dreadful nightmares, though he is attending group therapy sessions for the traumatised, has made some friends and has regained his self-esteem. With the gritty, enthralling plot-line, this is a great addition to the series, and Jimmy might be ready to take on a new role. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Quercus via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
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