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LONDON IS DEAD
"Tough, urban prose from an author with a sharp, distinctive style and an ear for the language of London's naughtier characters. Keenaghan's love for his city shines through in this driven, thumping novel... Cult fiction for the 2020s."
JOHN KING, author of The Football Factory and Human Punk
Terry Hart's straight lifestyle has got him nowhere – no money and no respect from his family. When he’s viciously robbed in his mini-cab, his self-pride hits a new low. As the temptation to return to crime bites hard, out come the demons from a brutal and tragic past. Suddenly East London has a new Ripper on the loose…
Bigz is a street hustler in a world of hard knocks. He’s haemorrhaging friends and inflaming enemies, which lands him at the desk of feared local don Hot Iron Mike, a man for whom an apologetic explanation is never enough. Hired as a 'pitbull on the payroll' he is paired with Lil Killa, a dangerous loner with a side offing the men who abused him while growing up in care. They make quite a team.
Meanwhile across town, the Kilburn Mob, a resurrected armed outfit from the 90s, have a lucrative job on the cards – and they’re hiring. But all is not well between old trusted friends. As past acts of betrayal resurface, not everybody will survive the outcome.
A fierce and gripping portrait of society’s criminal underbelly, London is Dead wields a cast of flawed but colourful characters as they cross paths and swords in the gritty backstreets of the capital.
" EXCELLENT FLOW AND PACE... THIS DEBUT NOVEL IS ALIVE AND KICKING " Joe England, 3AM MAGAZINE
JOHN KING, author of The Football Factory and Human Punk
Terry Hart's straight lifestyle has got him nowhere – no money and no respect from his family. When he’s viciously robbed in his mini-cab, his self-pride hits a new low. As the temptation to return to crime bites hard, out come the demons from a brutal and tragic past. Suddenly East London has a new Ripper on the loose…
Bigz is a street hustler in a world of hard knocks. He’s haemorrhaging friends and inflaming enemies, which lands him at the desk of feared local don Hot Iron Mike, a man for whom an apologetic explanation is never enough. Hired as a 'pitbull on the payroll' he is paired with Lil Killa, a dangerous loner with a side offing the men who abused him while growing up in care. They make quite a team.
Meanwhile across town, the Kilburn Mob, a resurrected armed outfit from the 90s, have a lucrative job on the cards – and they’re hiring. But all is not well between old trusted friends. As past acts of betrayal resurface, not everybody will survive the outcome.
A fierce and gripping portrait of society’s criminal underbelly, London is Dead wields a cast of flawed but colourful characters as they cross paths and swords in the gritty backstreets of the capital.
" EXCELLENT FLOW AND PACE... THIS DEBUT NOVEL IS ALIVE AND KICKING " Joe England, 3AM MAGAZINE
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2022
64 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 1, 2022
Crime/social fiction with a great story and lots of realistic depictions of life on the wrong side of the street. Portrays London as it really is, and I found myself gripped from the start. A nice, varied collection of characters too. I'd love to read more from this author. Urban fiction at its finest.
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December 10, 2022Fantastic London crime book by excellent Michael Keenaghan.
Had me gripped from start to finish!!!
The best & most exciting book I have read in ages.
Someone will make a movie of this story I am sure, because it is so good.
I can't wait for his next book to come out!!!
Had me gripped from start to finish!!!
The best & most exciting book I have read in ages.
Someone will make a movie of this story I am sure, because it is so good.
I can't wait for his next book to come out!!!
May 14, 2025
Really enjoyed this book, was different from any book I’ve read before and it was a pleasure to read. The author has a beautiful flow and varied vocabulary - never samey. Lots of unexpected twists too and so realistic even down to the language and slang - loved it!!!
September 6, 2023
Very standard characters, bad attempts at "ethnic language" - can't work why it was so highly regarded...
November 7, 2023
Really enjoyed this book, well written, great stories
March 2, 2024
Great!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews