White Riot

by Joe Thomas

"One of our very best contemporary crime writers" David Peace

1978: The National Front is gaining ground in Hackney. To counter their influence, anti-fascist groups launch the Carnival Against Racism in Victoria Park. Observing the event is Detective Constable Patrick Noble, charged with investigating racist attacks in the area and running Spycops in both far-right and left wing groups. As Noble's superiors are drawn further into political meddling, he's inveigled into a plot against the embattled Labour government.

1983: Under a disciplinary cloud after a Spycops op ended in tragedy, Noble is offered a reprieve by an old mentor. He is dispatched in the early hours to Stoke Newington police station, where a young black man has died in suspicious circumstances. This is Thatcher's Britain now, a new world that Noble unwittingly helped to usher in, where racial tensions are weaponised by those in power.

Supercharged by the music and counterculture of the era, White Riot weaves fiction, fact and personal experience to record the radical tale of London's most thrilling borough. Politics, music, police corruption, institutional racism and the power of protest all take centre stage in a novel that traces the roots of our current political moment.

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Politics, Novels, Race

400 pages, Hardcover

Published January 19, 2023

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Riot (2023) is a kaleidoscopic novel told from multiple perspectives and set in the London borough of Hackney. The first part takes place in 1978, opening with the Rock Against Racism march and concert in April of that year. The second part takes place in 1983, in the aftermath of the death of Colin Roach inside Stoke Newington police station. We get to hear the perspectives of the police, activists, councillors, Margaret Thatcher, community leaders, and musicians - some fictional, some real, but all wholly convincing. I remember those days and White Riot powerfully and authentically evokes the era and the place.

White Riot is the first part of the United Kingdom Trilogy which, I suspect, could be up there with David Peace's Red Riding Trilogy. David Peace is namechecked on the cover and there are similarities - which is very high praise.

If you're interested in the era and specifically the music, politics, corruption and racism, then don't hesitate. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

4/5




More info....

"One of our very best contemporary crime writers" David Peace

1978: The National Front is gaining ground in Hackney. To counter their influence, anti-fascist groups launch the Carnival Against Racism in Victoria Park. Observing the event is Detective Constable Patrick Noble, charged with investigating racist attacks in the area and running Spycops in both far-right and left wing groups. As Noble's superiors are drawn further into political meddling, he's inveigled into a plot against the embattled Labour government.

1983: Under a disciplinary cloud after a Spycops op ended in tragedy, Noble is offered a reprieve by an old mentor. He is dispatched in the early hours to Stoke Newington police station, where a young black man has died in suspicious circumstances. This is Thatcher's Britain now, a new world that Noble unwittingly helped to usher in, where racial tensions are weaponised by those in power.

Supercharged by the music and counterculture of the era, White Riot weaves fiction, fact and personal experience to record the radical tale of London's most thrilling borough. Politics, music, police corruption, institutional racism and the power of protest all take centre stage in a novel that traces the roots of our current political moment.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was endorsed by David Peace, whose books I love, and I thought the style was very reminiscent of his writing. This is the first in a planned trilogy and takes place partly in 1978 and partly in 1983, The title comes the Rock Against Racism Carnival in Victoria Park, covered in this book, and was sung by the Clash and Jimmy Pursey of Sham 69.

Much of the novel is set in Hackney, where I work, and the whole novel has nods not only to the music of the time but to my beloved West Ham – with characters having names such as Noble, Rice and Cole – and being set around an area and era that I know well. Perhaps that helped me engage with the story, as I can see reviews are mixed, but I recall this time very well and think Thomas captures it perfectly. The book features many real-life people interspersed with the fictional, so we have Thatcher, Paul Weller, various politicians and also real-life events, including the death of Colin Roach from a gunshot wound in the entrance of Stoke Newington police station in 1983.

For anyone who lived in London at that time, much will be familiar, including the then – as now – polarised political landscape. From Rock against Racism to the National Front ‘NF’ logo, which was painted everywhere and seemingly endless marches and demonstrations. The casual racism and sexism, ‘winter of discontent’ and stop and search laws, the poverty and the poor housing, as well as those trying to make a difference. This is a book about police corruption, drugs, crime and violence and it will not appeal to everyone, but I feel the author has painted a truthful and compelling portrait of that time and I look forward to reading on and discovering where the characters go next. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

[Andrew Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good, a decent story, the author is excellent at place and setting in time, i really did feel i was out and about on the streets in the late 70s/early 80s. Its a bit of a love letter to the east end of london, loads of long forgotten pubs are mentioned, lots of roads, and a lot of the characters have the surnames as current and former west ham players, and west ham loom large in the book too. Plotwise it's quite good, although i wish i'd known it was the first of three as the last chapter or two set up the second book, which i will probably be reading. The bits with Paul Weller and the Thatchers at home could have been omitted. Netgalley ARC on the strength of the title alone.

[Scott Cumming · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the cover of White Riot, there lies a quote from David Peace, which is fitting as this one sees the commencement of a Red Riding-esque series set in Hackney. This first book covers 1978 and 1983 as the Tories come to power and win the next General Election.

The book starts at the Rock Against Racism concert in 1978, which is one of those immortal pillars of the era especially the set by The Clash referenced in the book. The story is told from various POVs from DC Noble running “spycops”, undercover officers infiltrating organisations to the far right or left, Suzi, a photographer, Jon Davies, a solicitor for Hackney Council, Ayeleen, a young Turkish Muslim girl and up to Mrs. Thatcher herself.

The writing is vibrant and rhythmic with the book difficult to put down to the point you find your eyes drooping yelling out for sleep. The power of Trade Unions, the police and the corruption therein, racism and the National Front are all explored throughout, but the book never weights heavy or gets too dramatic. There’s also the fun of real life musical figures littered throughout with Suzi’s boyfriend playing the role of fictional producer to many of them.

The storytelling is exciting with nothing overly explained and the importance of events not telegraphed as seemingly innocuous moments blossoming into something more vital as the story proceeds. Thomas has written a hell of an opening stanza here and I hope the next instalment is not too far behind.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written with a good blend of fact and fiction. This was enjoyable if a bit convoluted at times. A lot of political background about Hackney in the late 70s but eventually the book settled down into an exciting thriller about racism and murder.

[Mario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hochspannender Inhalt zutiefst langweilig erzählt - wie schade!

[Alan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first of a trilogy, set in Hackney and based on real cases, Joe Thomas's WHITE RIOT is a gritty, uncomfortably authentic thriller.

1978 - punk, Rock against Racism, National Front, Anti-Nazi League, reggae, police corruption, Margaret Thatcher...

1983 - Style Council, more corruption, more racism, more Thatcher...

The more things change…

Against a background of political and racial tension, seen through the eyes of DC Patrick Noble, investigating racist attacks in the area and with undercover agents in both far-right and left wing groups, Suzi, a photographer in the music scene, and Jon Davies, a Hackney council solicitor, Thomas captures the feel, the sounds, the smells of the time. WHITE RIOT is very reminiscent of the RED RIDING books by David Peace, whose blurb adorns the cover.

It is a relatively downbeat story, as anyone who remembers, or has an interest in, the time might expect, and it is full of uncomfortable parallels to the Britain of today. The reader cannot help but compare the events in the novel to the divided, unequal society we now live in. I really look forward to seeing where this story goes, even though I fear I already know.

[Gavin Armour · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Rezension bezieht sich auf die bei btb erschienene deutsche Fassung]

England in den 70er Jahren: Arbeitslosigkeit, Klassenkampf, Streiks, Polizeigewalt und das Aufkommen der Rechten. London in den 70er Jahren – kein wirtlicher Ort. Nach den Swingin´ Sixties, den psychedelischen Jahren und den Hippies übernahmen nun die raueren Gesellen. Punk kam auf und mischte sich bald mit Reggae – der Sound wurde politischer. The Clash, The Ruts, natürlich die Sex Pistols (die allerdings wenig ernst genommen wurden von denen, die es mit der Politik ernst meinten). Hakenkreuze nicht nur an den Revers der National Front (da sogar eher weniger), sondern an der Lederjacke von Sid Vicious. Aber hatte nicht schon Brian Jones, seines Zeichens Chef der Rolling Stones, in einer SS-Uniform posiert? Die Zeichen wurden schwerer lesbar.

Aber die Zeiten wurden so rau, dass es zugleich auch einfach war, sich zu positionieren. Labour war am Ende und mit Maggie Thatcher kam die Ultrarechte im Gewand der Tories ins Spiel. „There is no such thing as society“ – bei Sprüchen wie diesem wusste auch der letzte, woran er war. Manche wollten einen Bürgerkrieg heraufziehen sehen. In bestimmten Vierteln Londons musste man aufpassen, welche Hautfarbe man hatte und welche Kleidung man trug. Hackney bspw. Hier wuchs der 1977 geborene Autor Joe Thomas auf. Nach zehn Jahren im Ausland – er lebte lange in Brasilien und verarbeitete seine dortigen Erfahrungen in einer Serie von Romanen, deren einziger auf Deutsch erschienener Teil bisher BRAZILIAN PSYCHO ist – kehrte er nach London zurück.

Mit WHITE RIOT (2023; Dt. 2025) legt er nun den ersten Band einer Trilogie von (nominell) Kriminalromanen aus dem England der späten 70er und frühen 80er Jahre vor und kehrt damit in jenes London zurück, in welches er hineingeboren wurde. Thomas bedient sich dabei einer Technik, die aufmerksamen Lesern britischer Kriminalliteratur nicht unbekannt vorkommen dürfte: Wie sein Freund David Peace nutzt Thomas ein engmaschiges Netz aus Fakten und fiktional damit verwobenen Figuren und Geschichten; wie Peace bedient er sich eines manchmal fast telegrammartigen Stils; wie Peace lässt er sein Publikum durchaus im Stich und lässt es grübeln, wohin die ganze Chose, die er da bietet, eigentlich führen soll; wie Peace scheut er sich nicht, Verwirrung zu stiften und lose Enden lose herabbaumeln zu lassen.

Gerade durch die Verquickung von Fakten mit Fiktion ergibt sich ein hohes Maß an Authentizität. Hier sind es die Morde an Altab Ali im Jahr 1978 und jener (vermeintliche) an Colin Roach im Jahr 1983, die die Rahmenhandlung bilden. Beide waren dunkelhäutig – Ali kam aus Bangladesch, Roach war gebürtiger Brite – und beide starben unter gewaltsamen, in Roachs Fall gar mysteriösen Umständen. Ali wurde von drei Teenagern angegriffen und erstochen, Roach soll sich im Foyer einer Polizeiwache in Stoke Newington selbst erschossen haben. Der Coroner – in diesem Fall vor allem in der Bedeutung als Untersuchungsrichter – ließ keine unabhängige Untersuchung des Falles zu und sorgte somit dafür, dass Misstrauen zwischen der Linken und dem Staatsapparat entstand und sich zusehends vertiefte – und dazu beitrug, dass sich beide Seiten immer unversöhnlicher (und gewaltbereiter) gegenüberstanden.

Thomas nimmt diese beiden Fälle als Ausgangs- und Zielpunkte seines Romans, der als Kriminalroman annonciert wird, allerdings eher einem Politthriller gleicht. Auch darin im Übrigen Peace´ berühmten Red-Riding-Quartet ähnelnd. Wie jener am Fall des sogenannten Yorkshire Rippers ein Kaleidoskop aus Korruption, Rassismus und Sexismus in der britischen Polizei als Blaupause der britischen, vor allem der englischen Gesellschaft der 70er und 80er Jahre nutzte, so nutzt Thomas die Vorgänge um den Mord an Ali und die Umstände von Roach´ Tod, um davon zu erzählen, wie sich zunächst in kleinen, später in immer größer werdenden Gruppen Widerstand gegen einen immer stärker um sich greifenden Rassismus und Nationalismus regte.

Thomas führt einige Figuren ein – als Hauptprotagonisten könnte man DS Patrick Noble bezeichnen, der mehrere Undercover-Polizisten sowohl in die Reihen der National Front als auch denen der linksgerichteten Anti-Nazi-League einschleust, um erster Hand an Informationen über deren jeweilige Organisationen und Vorhaben zu gelangen – , die im weitesten Sinne mit den Vorgängen im Jahr 1978 verbunden sind, als es mit Unterstützung des Bündnisses Rock Against Racism, dem Bands wie eben The Clash oder The Ruts angehörten, zu Massenprotesten gegen den grassierenden Rassismus in den Behörden kam. Viele dieser Personen spielen dann, nach einem Sprung, den die Handlung etwa in der Mitte des Buchs um fünf Jahre macht, auch eine Rolle in den Vorgängen um den Tod von Colin Roach.

Nebenher wird aber kenntnisreich auch die Entwicklung jener Szene geschildert, die allgemein als Punk bezeichnet wird und gerade in Großbritannien ausgesprochen politisch gewesen ist. Auch die – fließenden – Übergänge von den punkigen 70er Jahren in die von New Wave und sehr viel stärker dem Pop bestimmten 80er Jahre erzählt Thomas nebenbei mit. So produziert eine der hervorgehobenen Nebenfiguren nicht nur die Stiff Little Fingers, wodurch der im Hintergrund schwelende Nordirland-Konflikt – die Band kommt aus Belfast – ebenfalls thematisiert wird, wenn auch nur am Rande, sondern ist auch mit Paul Weller verbandelt, der nach dem Ende von The Jam – die wiederum an der Schnittstelle von Punk und der auch in den 70er Jahren noch relevanten Mod-Szene agierten – noch nicht wusste, wohin ihn seine künstlerische Reise führen würde, bevor er dann mit The Style Council prägend für den britischen Sound der frühen 80er Jahre werden sollte.

WHITE RIOT – der Titel basiert auf dem gleichnamigen Song von The Clash – ist also auch eine Schilderung jenes eingangs erwähnten Übergangs von den Swingin´ Sixties zu dem brodelnden London der 80er, als die unterschiedlichsten Szenen einander befruchteten, manchmal sogar dann, wenn sie sich gegenseitig verachteten. Thomas gibt tatsächlich, wie es auf dem Cover der Taschenbuchausgabe angedeutet wird, eine innige Liebeserklärung an London ab. Natürlich ist es nicht das London der Touristen, es sind nicht die Tower Bridge und Big Ben oder Madame Tussauds Wachsfigurenkabinett, die hier besungen werden. Vielmehr ist es das London der Einkaufsstraßen und der manchmal recht schmierigen Imbissbuden, es ist das London der Hinterhöfe und Nebenstraßen, der indischen und pakistanischen Restaurants, der billigen Pubs, der Fish´n´Chips-Shops, die auch noch mitten in der Nacht fettigen Haddock und noch fettigere Pommes verkaufen; es ist das London der drittklassigen Bars, nicht das der teuren West-End-Clubs und der dort angesiedelten Theater und Musical-Bühnen. Es ist ein hartes, kaltes, auch ein brutales London, durch das man streifen kann, wenn man unerschrocken genug ist. Es ist eben ein punkiges London, wie es so nicht mehr existiert und welches der Autor, der jene Jahre ja gar nicht selbst erlebt hat, auf doch vortreffliche Art und Weise zum Leben erweckt.

Weniger gelingt ihm dies leider mit seinen Figuren. Die bleiben etwas blässlich und sind eher funktional, keine wirklich ausgefeilten, ausgereifte, somit literarische Charaktere. Zwar erfahren wir hier und da Hintergründe, vor allem aus dem Leben des Bezirksverordneten Jon, der sich stark dafür einsetzt, dass die Hintergründe der erwähnten Todesfälle und eines weiteren, den Thomas seiner Story hinzufügt, aufgeklärt werden. Doch wird seine Familie genau soweit in die Handlung eingeführt, dass die Leser*innen an den entscheidenden Stellen um die Figuren bangen können. Thomas nutzt diese privaten Hinweise, um die Gefahr zu vermitteln, die von den Schlägern der National Front und ihrer Vorfeldorganisationen (wenn man es denn so nennen will; man könnte auch einfach sagen: von den ihnen verbundenen Hooligans) ausgeht. Im weitesten Sinne – und da ähnelt Thomas´ Stil nicht nur sprachlich oder literarisch dem von David Peace – wird hier alles der Geschichte untergeordnet, wenig findet außerhalb des beschriebenen Kosmos aus Punk, Politik und Polizei statt. Auch werden hier erst sehr dünne Fäden zwischen den verschiedenen Handlungssträngen gewoben. Zwar heuert Noble irgendwann die Fotografin und Journalistin Susie, deren Freund Brian mit Paul Weller beschäftigt ist, als Informantin an, um auch aus der linksradikalen und der Hausbesetzer-Szene Informationen zu erhalten, doch kann man davon ausgehen, dass diese Verbindungen in den Nachfolgebänden intensiviert werden.

Überhaupt darf man gespannt sein, wie Joe Thomas seine Story weiterspinnt. Trotz der beschriebenen Kritikpunkte ist dies ein spannendes Projekt, dem man ähnlich entgegenfiebert, wie seinerzeit den einzelnen Bänden von Peace´ Red-Riding-Quartet. Denn Thomas gelingt es, London auf eine Art zu beschreiben, welche die Stadt zu einer Protagonistin dieser Geschichte(n) werden lässt. Woanders hätte als dies, hätte diese sehr britische, sehr englische Geschichte wohl nicht passieren können. Joe Thomas legt nicht weniger als ein grandioses Gesellschaftspanorama vor und erfüllt damit eine der edelsten Funktionen, die die Kriminalliteratur, zumindest die moderne, schon immer geboten hat.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off well for me. I enjoyed the bit of a trip down memory lane that it took me on. Being a child of the 80s and interested in the politics of the era as I am.
But then it all got a bit dry and went astray for me and I started to lose interest. So much that I did consider giving up and sacking it off. And then it turned a corner and started to draw me back in. And I was glad I hadn't.
One of the things I did like about the book was the way that the author managed to weave fiction into fact almost seamlessly. The story the book is telling is set firmly within the era and all that happened therein. A lot of the characters are real people and have been portrayed, to the best of my knowledge, with good accuracy. The political landscape has also been (again to my knowledge and experience) faithfully presented, in all its brutal reality. Warts and all.
One of the things I didn't like was that the book does contain a fair bit of what I would consider to be unnecessary padding. Stuff that does nothing to set the scene or progress the narrative. Since finishing I have realised that this is not the end of the story - I believe it is part one of a trilogy - and I think that maybe the author wanted to end the story where her did and maybe needed an injection of word count to pad out this part? Speculation on my part, just my thoughts. Suffice to say, it could have been trimmed and would have lost nothing apart from having dragged in places.
It covers a lot of hard hitting subjects and it does this very well. No over the top sensationalising, well, to be honest, it was brutal enough without!
One of the main things I will take from reading this book, and this is why I think it will do well and become an important read, is that comparing the 70s and 80s with the now, it appears that not much has really changed, and that's very sad.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

East London in the 1970s and a battleground between the National Front and the Anti-Nazi League. After the death of Muslim man supposedly at the hands of racists the area is a powder keg. For police officer Patrick 'Chance' Noble, the opportunity to look at organised violence, for photographer Suzi Scialfa, an opportunity to progress her career. 1983 and the threats are not so much from the National Front as Margaret Thatcher and the Conservative Party. Another death in suspicious circumstances and for Chance, an opportunity for redemption and looking at police corruption.

This is a wonderful book with a real sense of time and place. I was more at home with the 1980s references but still could remember the Rock Against Racism movement of the late 1970s. Thomas has conjured up the poverty and grime of life in council estates and condemned housing, the grubbiness of prostitution and drugs and the desperation of those fighting oppression. This is a vivid and masterful piece of writing.

[Tommy Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich weiß nicht ob es mich beruhigen kann, aber die Lektüre verdeutlicht, dass rassistische Gewalt und rechte Politik in England in den frühen 80ern sich nicht sehr von heute unterscheidet. Das macht der Roman deutlich, der die gesellschaftliche Stimmung vor der Wahl von Thatcher in London beschreibt. Es ist kein Krimi, obwohl auch ermittelt wird. Es ist mehr eine Beschreibung des antirassistischen Kampfes aus der Perspektive eines Bullen und weiterer Akteure, die sich im Sumpf von Polizei- Korruption, Rechter Gewalt und Rassismus bewegen. Punk und politische Bewegungen spielen auch eine Rolle. Ein interessantes Werk. sprachlich und erzählerisch etwas dürftig, die Dokumentation der damaligen Situation mit Belegen und Quellen ist dem Autoren wichtiger. Und das ist auch das Besondere

[Ed, North London · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a lover of punk and reggae, with memories of my older siblings' involvement with Rock Against Racism, I was looking forward to this novel.

Unfortunately the book feels like a generic police procedural, albeit with a sympathetic, left leaning political stance. None of the vitality or excitement of the music of the Punk era really imbues itself into the text, despite references to The Jam and other bands of the period.

I might read the next book in the series, but there was something of the drabness of watching an episode of Minder or The Bill on a repeats channel. Maybe the beigeness of the 70s was evoked too well?

[Andrew Nette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admired what this tried to do but about two thirds of the way in, it just was not working for me.

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've often found that some of the best crime fiction uses the genre as a framework for telling the cultural or sociopolitical history of a time and place. This first in a trilogy takes that approach slightly too far in depicting police corruption and racial prejudice in the London borough of Hackney during 1978-83. Drawing upon the author's own experiences growing up as the son of the borough's lawyer during that era, as well as extensive contemporary reporting, subsequent journalism, and the musical scene of the time, the loose story is delivered through a chorus of voices, including the borough lawyer, a number of policemen (including undercover detectives assigned to infiltrate left-wing organizations), a music photographer, Margaret Thatcher, and various other bit players.

This mix of voices would probably work better if the prose wasn't so staccato throughout -- it creates a sense of tension and edge, but doesn't make for smooth reading. I tend to like writing that has a distinctive style to it, but this didn't quite work for me. In both style and approach, it reminded me of the writing of David Peace, which also has never really worked for me. I suppose there's something admirable in how all the real-life threads of national politics, boots on the ground violence, racial dynamics, and music are woven into the book -- but when I turned the final page I couldn't help but feel that it wasn't more than the sum of its primary and secondary sources (which are helpfully listed at the end). I don't think I'll be tracking down the next two in the series.

[Caroline Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never write reviews, but I feel like this novel deserves one. If you’re thinking about buying this book…DO IT!

I love books that completely immerse you into a place and time - the level of research and detail that the author employs completely transports you into the world of 70s/80s Hackney. I have never read a book that made me picture a place so vividly. It’s a real treat for anyone who loves London like me, or wonders what it was like back in the seventies.

I learnt a lot reading this book, and feel that the author did a superb job of blending real life events/ history with his fictional storylines. All the characters in this novel are interesting and engaging and I really liked how we switch from one POV to another frequently (something I don’t usually like in a novel but that worked SO well for this story, trust me)! The prose style felt fresh and unique and the pacing was honestly phenomenal. I literally flew through this book, I could barely put it down.

I really can’t recommend this novel enough. I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I was there, an activist in Hackney in those years from 1978 to 1983. So in many ways it was wonderfully evocative. I was at Rock Against Racism concerts, I marched again the NF, and I managed the Rio (which gets half a page) where Isaac Julien's first film, WHO KILLED COLIN ROACH was premiered shortly after the end of this book. So why wasn't I wild about it? Well, partly because the mix of fiction and non-fiction was irritating at times - why change someone's distinctive first name and not their distinctive second name? But mainly because the staccato style, particularly in the first part of the book, made the plot at times hard to follow. A raised eyebrow and a "yes gov" didn't always tell me what was going on. And some of the plot strands seemed scarcely relevant (like the Turkish entrepreneur and family), but I guess they're there because they play a bigger part in the next in the trilogy. Reading the other reviews, people who weren't there, or who weren't there as adults, seem to have been keener on it.

[Alex Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 Good.

A Difficult book both to read and review. Set in London of the late 70s and early 80s, with Thatchers rule beginning, this story told from several voices really takes you back to the time.

The Racism is the main element of this story, the 2nd class treatment of the Black Man, the dirty corrupt police. With a Government no better.

It’s written in an extremely unique voice - somewhat difficult at times , i did toy with not finishing it once or twice but I continued on to the end.

I’m glad I did read the way through. It’s frightening to see how far we have not come. How little has really changed and how still the government is essentially the same no matter who’s at the head of it.

It’s extremely political, it’s quite brutal to be honest. It’s not an easy read. It’s not what I expected it to be. At the end it becomes apparent it’s set for another book or two. I probably won’t continue the journey.

[Jackthedad · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books for an advanced reader copy. If you want a synopsis, click on the book.

I was disappointed with this book for two reasons. A sentence generally has a subject, a verb and usually an object. There are far too many non-sentences here. I understand they're designed to set the scene or create an atmosphere but they sometimes continued for half a page. The other disappointment lay in the detailed descriptions of how someone got from A to B in Hackney. I don't know Hackney. I don't care what all of the street names are and I don't care if you have to turn left then right, etc.

The story itself is decent enough and was made interesting for me because it covers history that I lived through. The book is the first of a trilogy. I suspect that, if the non-sentences and trip details were removed, the trilogy would make one good book.

Not for me, I'm afraid.

[Helen Precious · Rating 3 out of 5]

White Riot explores the strained relationships between the wider society and the state - specifically politicians, bureaucrats and police enforcement during the turbulent 1970s into the 1980s. Exploring the tensions between the growing National Front movement and the local ethnic communities surrounding Brick Lane and the borough of Tower Hamlets. Referencing several key cultural moments and figures - from the Victoria Park "Carnival Against Racism" festival to appearances by Paul Weller and Margaret Thatcher.

The multinarrator points of view somewhat dilutes the main thread of the story, with perhaps too much detail provided, relating in a slightly 'heavy' read. However, Thomas' central theme of institutional racism is a vital one that worryingly echoes current media exposure.

[Paul Gormley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Centred around the deaths of Altab Ali in 1978 and Colin Roach, this is a narrative tour-de-force, encompassing the anti-Nazi resistance of Rock Against Racism, police corruption (and institutional racism), and the rise of Margaret Thatcher.

The novel weaves fact and personal testimony into a fictional account of the period, focusing on a number of fictional characters from the worlds of music, politics and policing as they respond to real events.

The plotting is tremendous and highly engaging, with a style somewhat reminiscent of David Peace’s Red Riding novels. The first in a proposed trilogy, which is a mouth watering prospect.

A must-read, particularly if you were in any way a part of that history. Highly recommended.

[Andrew Macfarlane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once you get into it, the book zips along. Ultimately I did get a bit aggrieved at some very slight anachronisms early in the book. Had the book been set about 18 months earlier the aspect of the National Front would have been greater. By late 77 it was clear to any dispassionate observer that they were a busted flush and were unlikely to be a mainstream threat again. So I always remember the setting up of Rock against Racism as being just that, against general racism, to kill off the last vestiges of overt racism and a sense of relief that the more mainstream racist attitudes of the previous decade had largely been so denigrated. Perhaps that is why the second history period in the book focused on where it had not been adequately tackled - within the police.

[Tolkien InMySleep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional and clever merge of true life with fiction, the first of what promises to be a memorable trilogy. The early-80's were not a happy time for those of us on the political left in London, and this well-crafted story tells some of the reasons why. The police's use of violence against law-abiding citizens exercising a civil right to peaceful protest, at the behest of and tolerated by HM government, is as shocking and scandalous as it was at the time. As is the hypocrisy. Elected Governments are there to represent the views and needs of the whole electorate - not just the ones who voted for them. Something as relevant today in the US as it was back then in the UK, Donald.

[Iain Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late 70's UK, punk, post-punk, 2 tone are on the go and the rise of racism. A tale told from several different perspectives evoking the atmosphere of the day. There is a fair degree of leaping from one character to another and plot jumping from place to place so it's not the type of book to pick up and put down while simultaneously reading another or several books at the one time. Thankfully the story is quite engrossing and you can find yourself being drawn into this world described so vividly by the author. There are some moments where it seems to lag a bit and I've knocked it down to 4/5 stars purely for that.

[Steve Cripwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1978 the National Front is gaining ground in Hackney. Opposition groups organise the Carnival against Racism. Observing the event is DC Patrick Noble who is investigating racist attacks in the neighborhood.

In 1983 Noble is sent to Stoke Newington where a young man has died in suspicious circumstances and he is tasked with investigating the death.

This book is very much in the style of David Pease whose books portray the era of protest and violence. The book is true to its time with racist chants and observations. So it's not for anyone easily offended but it's an interesting read.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a classic slow burn with just enough in between the pages to keep the reader hungry for more. Thomas does something very difficult to do, he takes the reader back in time and perfectly blends multiple viewpoints. A lot of writers are afraid to tackle topics like racism in such a "deep-dive" way. There are moments when I felt as if I was walking those London streets, part of the call for equality. It is worth adding to your bookshelf, even if detective/crime fiction is not your thing.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating portrayal of an era (1978-1983) that were my formative years. I very much enjoyed the cultural references, and the sections written from
Margaret Thatcher’s point of view. I was very interested in the two key deaths, especially when I realised that they were factual. Unfortunately the story around them was not engaging, and neither were the characters. The author had an annoying habit of head hopping frequently, which made it difficult to become fully involved with any of the interlinked stories. So for me it succeeded as a work of social history but not as a novel

[Verity Halliday · Rating 4 out of 5]

White Riot is a meticulously researched novel about Hackney in the late 1970's and early 1980's, looking at the music industry and anti-fascist/anti-racism movements from several differing points of view.

I found the novel interesting, but it lost me on occasion both geographically (I'm unfamiliar with Hackney) and plotwise (I couldn't always work out who was speaking). It was particularly jarring when I thought I was reading about the young woman photographer but it turned out I was reading about Margaret Thatcher!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. I'd be interested in continuing with another book by this author.

[Brian Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of a trilogy covering Britain in 1978 and 1983 in this particular book . Told from a left wing perspective but with some interesting insights into the Met police , corruption and racism . Not an easy read but well worth the effort . Interesting how he weaves in real people - Thatcher, Paul Weller, various bands and politicians into the story . I'm interested to see how he develops the story .

[William Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose to read this as I used to live in the area. It's a decent read in that the pace is fast, the author writes in present simple. Characters are a little thin and cartoony for me. Good idea to try and capture an era through the music, but any author would struggle to capture hoe music makes you feel in a few words. I wanted to feel more danger at times given the racist themes and violence concerned. It's the first of a triology so the ending wasn't rounded.

[Mary Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hackney in the 70s and 80s was a harsh place to live in if you were an ethnic minority. This book brings time, place, music, racism and raw emotion to the fore. Day to day living is interspersed with political and social commentary with a horrendous backdrop of institutional racism. It would not be out of place on a student reading list for a sociology course.