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The Old Boys
Three men are kidnapped on the eve of their high school reunion and wake up trapped inside a remote cabin in the Scottish Highlands.
What comes next is the discovery that one of them is a killer.
But which one? Will anyone confess?
As a fierce snowstorm blows outside the cabin, the three men – Jay, Davie and Iain – work to uncover the connection between the kidnapping and their own troubled past. It’s a past that goes back twenty-five years. Back to when they were a gang of teenage bullies known as the Lads – a gang that delighted in torturing their classmates at every opportunity.
The kidnappers are waiting outside. But who are they?
After all these years, have the victims come back to turn the tables on the bullies?
The Old Boys is a dark psychological thriller about friendship and the deterioration of once seemingly unbreakable childhood bonds. It’s also a story of revenge and regret. If you love tense, claustrophobic thrillers packed full of mystery and suspense, you’ll love The Old Boys.
What comes next is the discovery that one of them is a killer.
But which one? Will anyone confess?
As a fierce snowstorm blows outside the cabin, the three men – Jay, Davie and Iain – work to uncover the connection between the kidnapping and their own troubled past. It’s a past that goes back twenty-five years. Back to when they were a gang of teenage bullies known as the Lads – a gang that delighted in torturing their classmates at every opportunity.
The kidnappers are waiting outside. But who are they?
After all these years, have the victims come back to turn the tables on the bullies?
The Old Boys is a dark psychological thriller about friendship and the deterioration of once seemingly unbreakable childhood bonds. It’s also a story of revenge and regret. If you love tense, claustrophobic thrillers packed full of mystery and suspense, you’ll love The Old Boys.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2021
205 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Mark Gillespie
51 books143 followersThese days, Mark Gillespie writes psychological thrillers, suspense and horror. Previously, between the years 2016-2020, he wrote a lot of apocalyptic/dystopian fiction.
Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.
Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...
Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...
You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.
Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com
Mark is a former professional musician from Glasgow, Scotland, who nowadays lives in Auckland, New Zealand with his wife Íde and a small menagerie of four-legged rescue creatures.
Favourite books: I am Legend, The Razor's Edge, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Body (Stephen King), I'll Be Gone in the Dark, Trainspotting...
Favourite films: Jaws, Ikiru, The Invitation, Vertigo, The Thing, Eyes Without a Face, Seven Samurai, The Wicker Man...
You can find him on Facebook as Mark Gillespie's Writing Stuff. He's also on Twitter as MarkG_Author.
Website: www.markgillespieauthor.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 11, 2024
The Hand of Glory...
THE OLD BOYS by Mark Gillespie
No spoilers. 4 stars. This story is a very well-written thriller that left me on the edge of my seat many times...
Jay (Jason) Green is a business executive just coming into a big job promotion. He's engaged and expecting his first child...
In high school, Jay was in a bully gang known as The Lads, who regularly terrorized their fellow students...
Their class is having a reunion in a couple of days, but Jay has no intention of going...
Iain Lewis was the dead-eyed muscle of the gang... not the brightest bulb in the pack, but he could intimidate and enforce...
Now an adult...
Iain is alone and in a nowhere job with an airport newsagent, but he knows his lucky keychain will bring him good fortune...
It's an odd keychain; a fist holding a candle; a miniature Hand of Glory... the Hand has a legend connected to it...
Legend has it...
The Hand of Glory is cut from the corpse of a hanged man and will enlighten life's pathway to the hand's bearer...
And then there's...
Disabled and wheelchair-bound IT consultant Davie Muir, the third member of the long-ago high school gang...
He is the only one of the three men who is considering going to their high school reunion, but for now...
He's on his way to a job in Glasgow
All three men will soon be reunited but not at the high school where they were hated by their classmates...
They will find themselves kidnapped and dropped into an isolated cabin in the woods where their lives will depend on one of them confessing to murder...
The guilty man will have until sundown to confess, or else all three will die...
This is a real whodunit!...
This story had many twists and turns toward the end, and at 70%, I couldn't put it down.
If you're as interested in the legend of The Hand of Glory as I was, you may find HOODOO by Ronald L. Smith is a very good source of information about the hand, and it's also a very good story!
THE OLD BOYS by Mark Gillespie
No spoilers. 4 stars. This story is a very well-written thriller that left me on the edge of my seat many times...
Jay (Jason) Green is a business executive just coming into a big job promotion. He's engaged and expecting his first child...
In high school, Jay was in a bully gang known as The Lads, who regularly terrorized their fellow students...
Their class is having a reunion in a couple of days, but Jay has no intention of going...
Iain Lewis was the dead-eyed muscle of the gang... not the brightest bulb in the pack, but he could intimidate and enforce...
Now an adult...
Iain is alone and in a nowhere job with an airport newsagent, but he knows his lucky keychain will bring him good fortune...
It's an odd keychain; a fist holding a candle; a miniature Hand of Glory... the Hand has a legend connected to it...
Legend has it...
The Hand of Glory is cut from the corpse of a hanged man and will enlighten life's pathway to the hand's bearer...
And then there's...
Disabled and wheelchair-bound IT consultant Davie Muir, the third member of the long-ago high school gang...
He is the only one of the three men who is considering going to their high school reunion, but for now...
He's on his way to a job in Glasgow
All three men will soon be reunited but not at the high school where they were hated by their classmates...
They will find themselves kidnapped and dropped into an isolated cabin in the woods where their lives will depend on one of them confessing to murder...
The guilty man will have until sundown to confess, or else all three will die...
This is a real whodunit!...
This story had many twists and turns toward the end, and at 70%, I couldn't put it down.
If you're as interested in the legend of The Hand of Glory as I was, you may find HOODOO by Ronald L. Smith is a very good source of information about the hand, and it's also a very good story!
April 11, 2024
intensely claustrophobic
and heartbreaking, this story
of three school bullies getting
the short end of the stick had
me cheering for the baddies. ♡
and heartbreaking, this story
of three school bullies getting
the short end of the stick had
me cheering for the baddies. ♡
January 30, 2024
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
March 20, 2022
Another excellent book by Mark Gillespie. This one full of unexpected twists, and connections to the past no one expects. That's the beauty of a good thriller. Gillespie has paved the road with a liberal helping of red herrings and well-hidden clues. His characters strut from the page, fully formed and as unlikable as they come. Bullies never win, and karma is a b&*#h.
August 28, 2022
The worst bullies at a Scottish high school have karma visited upon them.
February 23, 2022
I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller from beginning to end. This is a story that has twists and turns like no other. They had me turning pages fast as well as sitting on the edge of my seat. This is a new author for me which I can't wait to see what is next for this author. I enjoyed their writing style and attention to details that gave the story a realistic feel. This is a story about friendship and once strong childhood bonds. A story full of action which was hard to put down. The characters are relateable and truly made the story for me. I enjoyed how they not only pulled me into the story but also how they made it come to life on each page. They had great growth throughout the story which made it easy to read and entertaining as well. I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
December 7, 2021
Three men are kidnapped on their way to Glasgow and wake up in a cabin in the woods. The reader learns they all attended the same school and were mean bullies 25 years ago. Now, in their 40s, two of them had made a decent life for them and one struggles, having no friends and no purpose. As they're told that one of them is a killer, the three try to figure out who and how they could escape. Very believable, and also not very likeable, characters and the reader keeps guessing nearly til the end. A fast paced and quite entertaining read even regarding this scum.
December 9, 2021
This is a must read book. As I was reading, I had my suspicions about what was happening, but I had it wrong. Mark Gillespie takes psychological thriller and mystery to a whole new level that I haven’t read before. This book will have you on the edge of your seat, rapidly reading through the pages so you can know how this is going to end.
December 14, 2021
4.5 ⭐
Intense!!!
The story is well-written, an easy page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Fast-paced and thrilling. Well, the characters aren't likeable at all. The setting definitely adds to the chilling twist in the end. Didn't see that coming. Will read more from this author. I really enjoyed this one. Thank you Mark Gillespie for ARC.
Intense!!!
The story is well-written, an easy page turner that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Fast-paced and thrilling. Well, the characters aren't likeable at all. The setting definitely adds to the chilling twist in the end. Didn't see that coming. Will read more from this author. I really enjoyed this one. Thank you Mark Gillespie for ARC.
September 3, 2022
Once again, I wish there was a three and a half star option. Was going to do 4, for it was sort of original. But the ultimate motivation for some actions fell short for me. Didnt seem to be enough to orchestrate the main situation.
February 10, 2022
Not that convinced. And a bottomless whiskey bottle.
March 7, 2022
Good story. Ok writing. It kept my interest throughout, but I wasn't really invested in any of the characters. I guess the character development could have been better. But I wasn't disappointed in the read.
March 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, it really kept me guessing which is what a psychological thriller should do. It kept me enthralled right to the end. I was beginning to think
I was about to hit a reading slump as the last 2 books I read, one was a slog to finish and the other was a DNF, but this book has restored my faith that is not going to happen 😃
I was about to hit a reading slump as the last 2 books I read, one was a slog to finish and the other was a DNF, but this book has restored my faith that is not going to happen 😃
February 26, 2022
Your past is no secret
Well written thriller, Good page Turner, with a serious twist, I was definitely wrong in my thoughts of who dun it!!
Well written thriller, Good page Turner, with a serious twist, I was definitely wrong in my thoughts of who dun it!!
February 25, 2022
I love psycho thrillers, love love love them. This book was awesome. I kind of thought I had the ending figured out but then the ending was like BOOM and twisted it around, so good.
December 14, 2021
The past is about to catch up to The Lads, but whose past is it?
As the 25th reunion of Strathmore Academy’s Class of 1995 approaches, three estranged friends are thrust together under terrifying circumstances. In their youth, these men had been fast friends, a gang of three, bullies that had terrorized their classmates unmercifully. After school, they’d gone their separate ways: reinvented themselves, faded from the scene. But apparently, someone remembers “The Lads.”
After a traumatic experience as a drug dealer, Jay Green had cleaned up his act. He was now a successful businessman celebrating a recent promotion with a loving fiancée and anticipating the arrival of their first baby. Davie Muir, married with children, moved from Glasgow to London after surviving a horrific lorry accident that killed numerous people and left him paralyzed and in a wheelchair for life. However, Iain Lewis, the third member of The Lads, got left behind. As his two best-mates-forever dropped him and moved on, Iain remained mired in resentment, struggling to adapt to adult life.But on the eve of the reunion weekend, an event none of The Lads planned to attend, forces outside their control put these men unexpectedly back together for the first time since leaving school. They find themselves trapped in an isolated cabin in the snowy Scottish Highlands, with only a cryptic note claiming one of the three is a killer who must confess before the sun goes down or they all will die.
The Old Boys quickly proved to be an exciting, unputdownable psychological thriller. What first seems to be about three schoolmates reconnecting in adulthood soon unfolds to reveal their unsavory pasts and becomes a twisty-turny revenge story. I was utterly taken in. The abductions were slick and each cleverly different from the others. The men’s discussions and revelations as they came back together after being apart for so long felt emotionally difficult and realistic. Their continuous struggle to make sense of their circumstances, figure out who was behind it all and find a way out made for a true page-turner.I recommend THE BOYS for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers, tales where the past not only meets the future but collides with it, and stories of revenge and retribution.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through Hidden Gems Books.
February 10, 2022
Really good!
The story reunites 3 men who haven't seen each other in years and were terrifying bullies in school. They are not the same "boys" now and have actually moved on with their lives over the last 20 years. But now it's high school reunion time and even though none of the men plan on going, they are kidnapped and have a terrifying reunion they also didn't want. This was a crazy, kind of scary, story and I loved it. Never saw the ending coming. I highly recommend this book and will try another one from this author.
The story reunites 3 men who haven't seen each other in years and were terrifying bullies in school. They are not the same "boys" now and have actually moved on with their lives over the last 20 years. But now it's high school reunion time and even though none of the men plan on going, they are kidnapped and have a terrifying reunion they also didn't want. This was a crazy, kind of scary, story and I loved it. Never saw the ending coming. I highly recommend this book and will try another one from this author.
February 6, 2022
Gripping Read
This book was so intriguing. The story unfolded with the kidnapping of three high school friends. They were bullies in school and one of the kidnappers is waiting for revenge. I loved the book.
This book was so intriguing. The story unfolded with the kidnapping of three high school friends. They were bullies in school and one of the kidnappers is waiting for revenge. I loved the book.
February 8, 2022
This is a brilliant book
I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it
Definitely should be turned into a TV thriller
Highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good gripping book 👍
I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it
Definitely should be turned into a TV thriller
Highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good gripping book 👍
December 13, 2021
The author’s blurb succinctly sets up the pressure cooker into which The Lads have been thrust. The reader gets to observe each man’s point of view, with appropriate flash backs 25 years as they search their souls to identify what in their bullyish acts could have caused this revenge episode.
Mark expertly crafted an intriguing fast-paced ride with multiple twists I didn’t seeing coming, which kept me up late, fully engrossed, wanting to find out what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoy reading this outstanding writer’s books; I have read and reviewed over 15 of his books, all of them excellent. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I have several more of Mark’s books in my TBR queue and I look forward to reading all of them.
Mark expertly crafted an intriguing fast-paced ride with multiple twists I didn’t seeing coming, which kept me up late, fully engrossed, wanting to find out what would happen next. I thoroughly enjoy reading this outstanding writer’s books; I have read and reviewed over 15 of his books, all of them excellent. I received an ARC – this review is my honest opinion. I have several more of Mark’s books in my TBR queue and I look forward to reading all of them.
December 8, 2021
♥️💙😱 ASTONISHING AND CHILLING
In Glasgow, Jay and Rachel go to a restaurant to celebrate a promotion with their family.
Around the table, the discussion is good until Jay is reminded that he was part of a hell of a bunch of lads in his teens...
-------------
An astonishing thriller which features several seemingly unremarkable characters.
But nothing is what it seems...
I really like the author’s detailed and compelling writing.
The underlying plot is gripping and takes the reader on an astonishing and chilling story.
A book to discover absolutely for fans of the genre.
PS : the book cover is incredible 🧡
In Glasgow, Jay and Rachel go to a restaurant to celebrate a promotion with their family.
Around the table, the discussion is good until Jay is reminded that he was part of a hell of a bunch of lads in his teens...
-------------
An astonishing thriller which features several seemingly unremarkable characters.
But nothing is what it seems...
I really like the author’s detailed and compelling writing.
The underlying plot is gripping and takes the reader on an astonishing and chilling story.
A book to discover absolutely for fans of the genre.
PS : the book cover is incredible 🧡
December 5, 2021
The Old Boys is Mark Gillespie’s latest tale, and once again he has created a tale that will keep you rooted to your chair until the final sentence. To be honest I was expecting it might have a foundation in horror, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Instead, it is a story based on the past transgressions of a group men who were bullies in their youth. Without saying much more and to avoid providing any spoiler, I’ll just say having read most of his books, this was one of Mark’s best stories. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
January 12, 2022
This book started off slow for me and I only read a couple chapters over the course of two or three days. On that third day it really turned a corner and I NEEDED to know what was happening and where this was going. I finished within the next day. I had several guesses on how things would end up and who was behind it all. All of my guesses were wrong! New author to me and I think the slow start came from the use of Scottish and English slang that I am unfamiliar with so it was a bumpier start than a typical read for me. Overall I am so glad I read this, I really enjoyed it!
December 2, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
December 13, 2021
NOTHING is as it seems in this book. After a huge reading slump I stumbled upon this book by Mark Gillespie. I was instantly invested in the story and reading style. When first 3 men were abducted I thought maybe this was a straight forward abduction/revenge story but it was so much more. Full of twists and turns made this book into a fantastic read! I will check out more books by this author!
January 2, 2022
good story, surprise ending
I almost gave up on this but had to keep reading. Glad I did. Three guys known twenty years ago in school as the Lads, kidnapped separately, taken to the same remote cabin. Strangers after all the years, wondering who has taken them and why. Being bullies in high school, they were sure it must be about that.
But the ending tells us an unexpected story.
I almost gave up on this but had to keep reading. Glad I did. Three guys known twenty years ago in school as the Lads, kidnapped separately, taken to the same remote cabin. Strangers after all the years, wondering who has taken them and why. Being bullies in high school, they were sure it must be about that.
But the ending tells us an unexpected story.
December 12, 2021
Mark Gillespie writes another winner. Jay Davie is one of "the Lads", a group of 3 boys who terrorized schoolmates back in their youth. Now, many years later, he is kidnapped along with his 2 former friends in the group. There are twists and turns throughout making this a great thriller and an enjoyable read.
December 22, 2021
This book is a psychological thriller that will stick with you! Three high-school bullies. 25 years later. Kidnapped. Retribution. Revenge. Regrets. Many twists. Many turns. Wow. What a ride! Loved it!
Very clever. Very well written. Very well told.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
Very clever. Very well written. Very well told.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems.
December 5, 2021
This is a really well written, slightly twisted horror story! I did enjoy it but it does touch on the sensitive issue of bullying at school so was in parts a little shocking! Well worth the read, even if it is a little heavy with the subject matter. I do always enjoy this writers work!
December 15, 2021
What a great story! Lots of twists kept me reading well into the early hours as I was so eager to find out how it concluded.
I have read some of Mark Gillespie's books before but this one is a bit different.
More please Mark!
I have read some of Mark Gillespie's books before but this one is a bit different.
More please Mark!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews