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Mangetout
A kitchenhand. A financier. A cannabis grower.
Kitchenhand Deron thinks he’s hit the jackpot when a routine delivery of vegetables turns out to be contraband. The problem is it belongs to somebody else. And they want it back.
Financier Hamish has got involved in the arms trade and business is good. However, over in Yemen he’s made a formidable foe. One who will stop at nothing for revenge.
Ken’s fed up with the nine-to-five. An illegal venture with girlfriend Laura brings the job satisfaction he craves, but also attention from organised crime. This could all go horribly wrong.
These sharp, shocking and suspenseful stories are a must read.
‘Dangerously droll crime capers’ – Adam Riley, Comedian
Grab your copy.
Kitchenhand Deron thinks he’s hit the jackpot when a routine delivery of vegetables turns out to be contraband. The problem is it belongs to somebody else. And they want it back.
Financier Hamish has got involved in the arms trade and business is good. However, over in Yemen he’s made a formidable foe. One who will stop at nothing for revenge.
Ken’s fed up with the nine-to-five. An illegal venture with girlfriend Laura brings the job satisfaction he craves, but also attention from organised crime. This could all go horribly wrong.
These sharp, shocking and suspenseful stories are a must read.
‘Dangerously droll crime capers’ – Adam Riley, Comedian
Grab your copy.
164 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2021
4 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Guy Portman
18 books317 followersAs far back as anyone can remember Guy has been an introverted creature, with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and a sardonic sense of humour.
Throughout a childhood in London spent watching cold war propaganda gems such as He Man, an adolescence confined in various institutions, and a career that has encompassed stints in academic research and the sports industry, Guy has been a keen if somewhat cynical social observer.
Humour of the sardonic variety is a recurring theme in Guy’s writing. His first novel, 'Charles Middleworth', is an insightful tale of the unexpected. Like the author, the protagonist in 'The Necropolis Series' is a darkly humorous individual – though, unlike the author, he is a sociopath.
Guy is a dedicated blogger and an avid reader. Reviews of the books he has read can be found in the review section of his blog.
Click on my website link below and get 'Mangetout' for FREE.
These shocking and suspenseful stories are a must read.
Throughout a childhood in London spent watching cold war propaganda gems such as He Man, an adolescence confined in various institutions, and a career that has encompassed stints in academic research and the sports industry, Guy has been a keen if somewhat cynical social observer.
Humour of the sardonic variety is a recurring theme in Guy’s writing. His first novel, 'Charles Middleworth', is an insightful tale of the unexpected. Like the author, the protagonist in 'The Necropolis Series' is a darkly humorous individual – though, unlike the author, he is a sociopath.
Guy is a dedicated blogger and an avid reader. Reviews of the books he has read can be found in the review section of his blog.
Click on my website link below and get 'Mangetout' for FREE.
These shocking and suspenseful stories are a must read.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 28, 2021
Exactly as expected, having read all of the author’s previous books and especially The Gazebo, this latest from Portman is his special blend of over the top violence and situational comedy. The book comprises three stories featuring random people stumbling into variously dangerous scenarios, involving various less than legal substances, weapons, etc.
Mangetout is apparently a fancy moniker for snow peas, so fancy, in fact, that it’s totally confusing the word program right now. Great word, used approximately gazillion times in this tale of a very unusual restaurant mangetout delivery.
Payback is, as you can imagine, a revenge story, featuring an obnoxiously posh British mother/son combo whose greed leads them into danger.
Grower is about a man who gets laid off and decides to become a pot dealer (not exactly an original concept), but Portman spins it way out by the way of a Tekken game come to life.
The stories all showcase Portman’s darkly humorous, starkly violent, quickly paced narrative with his inimitable penchant for foreign criminals and phonetically spelled out exclamations. The latter might actually be the funniest thing of it all, whether intentional or not.
All in all, entertaining, decent fun and a quick one sitting read.
Mangetout is apparently a fancy moniker for snow peas, so fancy, in fact, that it’s totally confusing the word program right now. Great word, used approximately gazillion times in this tale of a very unusual restaurant mangetout delivery.
Payback is, as you can imagine, a revenge story, featuring an obnoxiously posh British mother/son combo whose greed leads them into danger.
Grower is about a man who gets laid off and decides to become a pot dealer (not exactly an original concept), but Portman spins it way out by the way of a Tekken game come to life.
The stories all showcase Portman’s darkly humorous, starkly violent, quickly paced narrative with his inimitable penchant for foreign criminals and phonetically spelled out exclamations. The latter might actually be the funniest thing of it all, whether intentional or not.
All in all, entertaining, decent fun and a quick one sitting read.
June 16, 2021
I absolutely loved this collection of dark and twisted stories. The characters were by turns hilariously absurd and deliciously hate-able, and the stories themselves were sinister, outrageous, and so, so funny. In fact, I really think that was one of the most distinctive traits of the entire collection, the humor. I don’t think I passed even just a couple of pages without laughing—or grimacing and then laughing—at something.
My favorite of the collection was definitely “Grower,” an excellent gritty crime fiction piece about a man who gets laid off from his job, doesn’t tell his wife, and instead continues to pretend to go to work each day, while he begins a business growing marijuana on the side. What I really loved about this story was that different elements are woven into the piece so that when you come to the end you can see how it’s an homage of sorts to the videogame Tekken. It’s hard to explain how the author does it, and it might sound a bit odd, but it’s really, really well done and reminded me a lot of Quentin Tarantino’s movie, Kill Bill. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The other two stories in the collection are excellent as well. I’ve read this author before and I always appreciate how cold and calculating some of his characters can be, while at the same time showing sophisticated taste and refinement. Also, he has such a talent for making you hate certain characters so much that when they get their just deserts, it is just so incredibly satisfying. It’s like the author pushes you into your own dark side and forces you to admit how much you like it there.
Overall, this collection is a great read. I recommend it highly to anyone who loves dark fiction, crime fiction, transgressive fiction, dark humor, or authors who are similar to Chuck Palahniuk or Bret Easton Ellis. It’s good stuff.
My favorite of the collection was definitely “Grower,” an excellent gritty crime fiction piece about a man who gets laid off from his job, doesn’t tell his wife, and instead continues to pretend to go to work each day, while he begins a business growing marijuana on the side. What I really loved about this story was that different elements are woven into the piece so that when you come to the end you can see how it’s an homage of sorts to the videogame Tekken. It’s hard to explain how the author does it, and it might sound a bit odd, but it’s really, really well done and reminded me a lot of Quentin Tarantino’s movie, Kill Bill. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The other two stories in the collection are excellent as well. I’ve read this author before and I always appreciate how cold and calculating some of his characters can be, while at the same time showing sophisticated taste and refinement. Also, he has such a talent for making you hate certain characters so much that when they get their just deserts, it is just so incredibly satisfying. It’s like the author pushes you into your own dark side and forces you to admit how much you like it there.
Overall, this collection is a great read. I recommend it highly to anyone who loves dark fiction, crime fiction, transgressive fiction, dark humor, or authors who are similar to Chuck Palahniuk or Bret Easton Ellis. It’s good stuff.
March 30, 2021
This is a collection of 3 stories linked by illicit dealings. Mangetout features a hectic kitchen, Payback focuses the consequences of the actions of a spoiled mummy's boy, and Grower features a pot-growing operation.
Taken as a whole, all three stories are interesting and dark (not a surprise coming from this author). They're also a bit quirky with a dry wittiness. While I can't say that I really liked their content, I did appreciate the pacing, and I always like Mr. Portman's writing style.
I found the characters were interesting, although the main characters in two of the stories were pretty unlikeable. I think my favourite story was Mangetout - I found it to be unexpected and was surprised by it the most.
I am a fan of Mr. Portman's writing and look forward to reading more from him.
I received an ARC via the author.
Taken as a whole, all three stories are interesting and dark (not a surprise coming from this author). They're also a bit quirky with a dry wittiness. While I can't say that I really liked their content, I did appreciate the pacing, and I always like Mr. Portman's writing style.
I found the characters were interesting, although the main characters in two of the stories were pretty unlikeable. I think my favourite story was Mangetout - I found it to be unexpected and was surprised by it the most.
I am a fan of Mr. Portman's writing and look forward to reading more from him.
I received an ARC via the author.
March 11, 2021
I had no idea what to expect when I was given an advanced copy of this book to read and review, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy to read the stories are, and a little taken aback by their dark nature. But they're gripping and with enough humour to lighten the mood. The writing, as I said, flows smoothly and the characterisation is good. Each story is unique, but there are themes that run through them, and they show a seedier side of life than one often gets. But well worth taking the time to read them. Thanks, Guy for the copy.
March 18, 2021
A dark thrilling and suspenseful contemporaneous read. I have read several Guy Portman books and relished them all. This book has three stories all excelling in their own different twisted enjoyable way. Each story could actually have happened and all being a blend of believable violence and black comedy. Not one story needs you to suspend your belief. The text races along and will leave you wanting more. I finished this book quite quickly. Definitely recommended if you want a page turning dark comedy thriller to savour.
March 18, 2021
These three tales of dodgy dealings are an absolute delight. The heroes are flawed, the villains are fiends and the plots are very very funny. Portman's particular universe is once again on display, as we see members of different social strata chancing their arms in criminal capers that soon grow out of control. There's everything you want - drugs, gangs, violence, warzones, etiquette lessons, Michelin-starred rabbit preparation, and a fantastic use of Tekken. And of course, mangetout. Great stories that could make great films as well.
April 8, 2021
I read this as an e-book. This is an unsolicited review. I thoroughly enjoyed reading these three short stories. The author writes very readable and engaging from the first couple sentences, I’m hooked. He’s really good at combining excitement, dark content (somewhat violent in places without being unnecessarily grotesque), dialogue, inner thoughts, and humor. Highly recommended to those who like fast-paced, humorous stories that make you smile, then wince, and ultimately root for the little guy who is vastly unseen in a see of faces. 5/5
April 28, 2021
I got a free copy of this book from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I’d have liked to give this book 3.5 stars, I can’t stretch to 4 because I didn’t love the style of writing and I felt it was a little repetitive across the 3 stories - blowing ‘pfff’ through pursed lips for instance. But the stories themselves were entertaining and quite compelling.
I’d have liked to give this book 3.5 stars, I can’t stretch to 4 because I didn’t love the style of writing and I felt it was a little repetitive across the 3 stories - blowing ‘pfff’ through pursed lips for instance. But the stories themselves were entertaining and quite compelling.
March 10, 2021
Three extremely unusual and highly engrossing stories the likes of which you've never experienced before. Frightening and gut-wrenching, they will keep you biting your nails and holding your breath. Mr. Portman has an immense winner in this compelling trilogy. Very Highly Recommended.
March 19, 2021
(Received a free copy through Voracious Readers Only)
I thought the ideas for the first two stories were quite interesting but I don't think the writing helped to convey them. I just didn't really get into this book but I think it had potential.
I thought the ideas for the first two stories were quite interesting but I don't think the writing helped to convey them. I just didn't really get into this book but I think it had potential.
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March 24, 2021Received a free copy from VRO in return for an honest review, and being totally honest, this was my first DNF of the year. 3 very different stories, so different that they don't fit together well for me.
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March 19, 2021So I'm going be honest I only liked the first story! Just me I guess and if it was only the first story this reveiw would be 5 stars. I received this as an ARC and voluntarily choose to reveiw.
May 4, 2021
Fast action packed short stories. Direct and to the point. Had me turning the pages to see what would transpire next.
October 18, 2021
I enjoyed the books three short stories, was better than I initially expected !
January 24, 2022
Not being a lover of short stories, these stories are engrossing, unique and contain the originality of the author. They do sometimes lack a climax or conclusion worthy of the story however.
August 11, 2021
An interesting trilogy of short stories. Each with its own unique characters and plot. I loved how dark the stories were, definitely not for the faint of heart! It is dark and violent. It's certainly easy to just keep reading, so you can finish this in one sitting.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews