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Time To Win
The first in an unmissable crime series from an exciting new voice in the genre - think Raymond Chandler meets The Sopranos in Great Yarmouth.
' The Godfather in Great Yarmouth' Ian Rankin
'A winner on all counts' Megan Abbott
When local crime boss Richard Goodwin is pulled from the river by his office it looks like suicide. But as his widow Tatiana feared, Rich collected enemies like poker chips, and half of Great Yarmouth's criminal fraternity would have had reason to kill him.
Realising how little she knows about the man she married, Tatty seeks to uncover the truth about Rich's death and take over the reins of the family business, overseeing a waterfront casino deal Rich hoped would put Yarmouth on the map.
Out of the shadows at last, it is Tatty's time now, and she isn't going to let Rich's brother, or anyone else, stand in her way. But an American has been in town asking the right people the wrong questions, more bodies turn up, along with a brutal new gang. The stakes have never been higher.
With her family to protect, and a business to run, Tatty soon learns that power comes with a price . . .
'Fearsomely good' Nicci French
'A 21st century Long Good Friday' Tony Parsons
'Taut and atmospheric' Eva Dolan
'Gripping, compelling, original crime drama' Dreda Say Mitchell
'Darkly brooding and atmospheric' M.J. McGrath
'Time to Win redraws the landscape of British noir' Stav Sherez
'A tour de force' William Ryan
'I loved Time to Win' Julia Crouch
' The Godfather in Great Yarmouth' Ian Rankin
'A winner on all counts' Megan Abbott
When local crime boss Richard Goodwin is pulled from the river by his office it looks like suicide. But as his widow Tatiana feared, Rich collected enemies like poker chips, and half of Great Yarmouth's criminal fraternity would have had reason to kill him.
Realising how little she knows about the man she married, Tatty seeks to uncover the truth about Rich's death and take over the reins of the family business, overseeing a waterfront casino deal Rich hoped would put Yarmouth on the map.
Out of the shadows at last, it is Tatty's time now, and she isn't going to let Rich's brother, or anyone else, stand in her way. But an American has been in town asking the right people the wrong questions, more bodies turn up, along with a brutal new gang. The stakes have never been higher.
With her family to protect, and a business to run, Tatty soon learns that power comes with a price . . .
'Fearsomely good' Nicci French
'A 21st century Long Good Friday' Tony Parsons
'Taut and atmospheric' Eva Dolan
'Gripping, compelling, original crime drama' Dreda Say Mitchell
'Darkly brooding and atmospheric' M.J. McGrath
'Time to Win redraws the landscape of British noir' Stav Sherez
'A tour de force' William Ryan
'I loved Time to Win' Julia Crouch
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 31, 2017
When local 'Mr Big' Richard (Rich) Goodwin is pulled from the river in his car, it looks like a case of suicide, but Rich had created lots of enemies in his business dealings and many people believe he was murdered. Most of his business dealings were of the illegal kind, and it's probably a case of those who would have had a good reason to kill him, had better stand in line and form an orderly queue!
Rich's home town of Great Yarmouth in the UK, is depicted as a coastal resort that has seen better days, a place of boarded up shops, drugs, crime, prostitution - and then there's the weather, which seems to veer from wet to wetter, and wetter still. Against this backdrop Rich still saw a future for his hometown and had great plans for a luxury casino complex with ships coming over from The Continent and the passengers staying in his complex and hopefully spending plenty of cash. Those plans haven't died with him though, as his wife Tatiana (Tatty) intends to take over where he left off. She's a determined lady, and not one to cross, however there are some dangerous individuals who are also just as determined to seize Rich's kingdom.
The storyline itself was certainly compelling and we didn't find out the truth about Rich's death until the very end. I found the constant comments about the poor weather a little wearing - I realise that the author was trying to portray a coastal town that was no longer in its heyday, and it did add some atmosphere but I could have done with fewer references to it. However, it did maintain my interest and I would like to know what happens in the second book of the series.
*Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group for my ARC for which I have given an unbiased review*
Rich's home town of Great Yarmouth in the UK, is depicted as a coastal resort that has seen better days, a place of boarded up shops, drugs, crime, prostitution - and then there's the weather, which seems to veer from wet to wetter, and wetter still. Against this backdrop Rich still saw a future for his hometown and had great plans for a luxury casino complex with ships coming over from The Continent and the passengers staying in his complex and hopefully spending plenty of cash. Those plans haven't died with him though, as his wife Tatiana (Tatty) intends to take over where he left off. She's a determined lady, and not one to cross, however there are some dangerous individuals who are also just as determined to seize Rich's kingdom.
The storyline itself was certainly compelling and we didn't find out the truth about Rich's death until the very end. I found the constant comments about the poor weather a little wearing - I realise that the author was trying to portray a coastal town that was no longer in its heyday, and it did add some atmosphere but I could have done with fewer references to it. However, it did maintain my interest and I would like to know what happens in the second book of the series.
*Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group for my ARC for which I have given an unbiased review*
April 10, 2017
This is not a book that worked well for me. Rich Goodwin is found dead in circumstances that suggest suicide. He is a well known man locally and crime boss. We see the repercussions of his death on his brother, Simon, his immediate family, Tatty, and his children. A man with his finger in many pies, such as money laundering, drugs, people smuggling, offloading stolen goods, tax evasion, fraud, extortion and protection. This is invariably going to interest a number of people. Tatty who has never been involved with the business, get to grips with the business so she can run it but not without a great deal of drama.
For me, the writing felt flat and the characters just failed to interest me. The sense of location in Great Yarmouth works better, but it just was not enough for me. However, that does not mean others will not like it. Thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
For me, the writing felt flat and the characters just failed to interest me. The sense of location in Great Yarmouth works better, but it just was not enough for me. However, that does not mean others will not like it. Thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.
September 2, 2017
DNF @ Chapter 31
This is super boring. At the beginning it was kind of interesting with the whole murder and I was hope for more of a murder mystery. But, I figured out who did it very early. And none of the characters are interesting enough for me to continue reading this.
Frank just annoyed me to be honest and I don't trust him and I don't like him either. Tatty was annoying too and overall, I am bored.
#nope.
This is super boring. At the beginning it was kind of interesting with the whole murder and I was hope for more of a murder mystery. But, I figured out who did it very early. And none of the characters are interesting enough for me to continue reading this.
Frank just annoyed me to be honest and I don't trust him and I don't like him either. Tatty was annoying too and overall, I am bored.
#nope.
May 10, 2017
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review
Oh wow, this is the kind of book that makes you question everything in the world and trust no one. And I do mean no one. This is anything unlike I have ever read and I loved every minute of it, I ended up reading this in one sitting.
After the demise of Rich, everything is in chaos, the business, the family, his friends and everything he worked towards. Everyone just seems to have their own agenda and only care about themselves, it is also intriguing the way Rich dies, your constantly left in 'how, what?' mode. Nothing seems to make sense but then it does...
Tatty really surprised me, I expected her to be one of those weak characters who really just cry all the time, that can be a little off putting. But she is nothing like that, she is strong, hot headed, resilient, stubborn and really finds herself after Rich dies. There are a lot of things she doesn't know about her husband Rich, but she really rises up to the situation to take care of things and her family.
Another character that really I adored was Frank, I really admire people who are incredibly loyal even after the person dies, it is not a very easy thing to do so I have great respect for people who do it. He might seem big and intimidating for his size, but he really does care and would do anything for those he loves.
The plot takes an interesting twist as Rich is shown to be playing the game, knowing how to bend the rules and where to avoid any suspicions whilst also gaining his own advantage. He is involved in every crime possible; drug dealing, money laundering, fraud etc. Everything becomes a problem once he dies and secrets come to the surface. The pace was a little slow at the beginning, but you get quite hooked in to the story early on (Ben and Sam are exceptional characters and I love their support for their mother Tatty- both of them are awesome).
I have never read any of Brett's books before, but I completely fell in love with his style of writing. I love how equally dark and alluring the cover as well as the story is, it is mysterious but it grabs you by the throat and compels you to finish the story.
Time to Win is a dark compelling story that once you start reading you can't put it down, it is exceptional in captivating its audience with its twisted tale and ruthless characters.
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Oh wow, this is the kind of book that makes you question everything in the world and trust no one. And I do mean no one. This is anything unlike I have ever read and I loved every minute of it, I ended up reading this in one sitting.
After the demise of Rich, everything is in chaos, the business, the family, his friends and everything he worked towards. Everyone just seems to have their own agenda and only care about themselves, it is also intriguing the way Rich dies, your constantly left in 'how, what?' mode. Nothing seems to make sense but then it does...
Tatty really surprised me, I expected her to be one of those weak characters who really just cry all the time, that can be a little off putting. But she is nothing like that, she is strong, hot headed, resilient, stubborn and really finds herself after Rich dies. There are a lot of things she doesn't know about her husband Rich, but she really rises up to the situation to take care of things and her family.
Another character that really I adored was Frank, I really admire people who are incredibly loyal even after the person dies, it is not a very easy thing to do so I have great respect for people who do it. He might seem big and intimidating for his size, but he really does care and would do anything for those he loves.
The plot takes an interesting twist as Rich is shown to be playing the game, knowing how to bend the rules and where to avoid any suspicions whilst also gaining his own advantage. He is involved in every crime possible; drug dealing, money laundering, fraud etc. Everything becomes a problem once he dies and secrets come to the surface. The pace was a little slow at the beginning, but you get quite hooked in to the story early on (Ben and Sam are exceptional characters and I love their support for their mother Tatty- both of them are awesome).
I have never read any of Brett's books before, but I completely fell in love with his style of writing. I love how equally dark and alluring the cover as well as the story is, it is mysterious but it grabs you by the throat and compels you to finish the story.
Time to Win is a dark compelling story that once you start reading you can't put it down, it is exceptional in captivating its audience with its twisted tale and ruthless characters.
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October 17, 2020
Raymond Chandler meets Lee Child in this deep, textured, twisty crime noir, set not in badlands America but on the unforgivingly bleak and run down East Anglian seaside town of Great Yarmouth where even the seagulls are grim. Harry Brett has a magnificent turn of phrase. He is skilled at atmospheric descriptions of a rundown place which attracts small time gangsters with eyes on gambling, drugs and prostitution and false thoughts of following in the footsteps of Bugsy Siegel and his associates who built Las Vegas. With the suspicious death of the head of the family its up to Tatania Goodwin and her children to hold things together. The humanity of the story lies in its gritty reality and lack of dreams
October 19, 2025
began really well, then lots of descriptive waffle that I felt it didn't need . so could be 100 pages shorter. but overall was a good plot
May 6, 2017
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
I did enjoy this book but it started out quite slowly and I don't think it really picked up the pace until about 25% through the book. My husband is initially from the Norfolk Broads so I have visited Great Yarmouth a few times and do know the area quite well, I do think that the author has done well with the descriptive nature and setting the scene and it has made me wonder how much really goes on behind the scenes in these smaller seaside towns. I enjoyed the plot once I got in to it. Three stars from me.
I did enjoy this book but it started out quite slowly and I don't think it really picked up the pace until about 25% through the book. My husband is initially from the Norfolk Broads so I have visited Great Yarmouth a few times and do know the area quite well, I do think that the author has done well with the descriptive nature and setting the scene and it has made me wonder how much really goes on behind the scenes in these smaller seaside towns. I enjoyed the plot once I got in to it. Three stars from me.
May 8, 2017
Time To Win is set in Great Yarmouth and the town is key to the underlying story. Harry Brett clearly knows the town well as it is vividly brought to life for the reader, even down to the salty sea air and the somewhat run-down feel that seems to prevail.
I will ‘fess up from the start…the geography of England is not my strong point and I had no idea where to find Great Yarmouth on a map (though I do now). However in Time To Win I got a real feel for the place and I put this entirely down to Brett’s narrative. It felt perfect for this dark, grim story of a family grinding a living out of their hometown.
Not that these are grafters, perhaps ‘grifters’ may be more apt as we are following a family that are possibly best described as mobsters. We join the story as the head of the family breathes his last. An apparent suicide it now looks like the family ‘businesses’ will be run by his brother. However, step forward the grieving widow Titania (Tatty). She and her kids are taking control of the family interests and it will take all their guile, and a huge amount of ruthlessness, to make a successful attempt to gain power.
A slight slow burn to get us started soon gives way to an engrossing story. The early chapters are defining the characters and this allows the reader to see just how far Tatty has to rise if she is to grab the power she seeks.
Time To Win is the opening book in a series and I believe that there are at least two more to follow. This is welcome news as Harry Brett is crafting a fascinating criminal underworld for Great Yarmouth and if there are more stories to be told I shall gladly listen.
Fans of gangsters, dark deeds and lovers of noir this is a book you should be seeking out.
I will ‘fess up from the start…the geography of England is not my strong point and I had no idea where to find Great Yarmouth on a map (though I do now). However in Time To Win I got a real feel for the place and I put this entirely down to Brett’s narrative. It felt perfect for this dark, grim story of a family grinding a living out of their hometown.
Not that these are grafters, perhaps ‘grifters’ may be more apt as we are following a family that are possibly best described as mobsters. We join the story as the head of the family breathes his last. An apparent suicide it now looks like the family ‘businesses’ will be run by his brother. However, step forward the grieving widow Titania (Tatty). She and her kids are taking control of the family interests and it will take all their guile, and a huge amount of ruthlessness, to make a successful attempt to gain power.
A slight slow burn to get us started soon gives way to an engrossing story. The early chapters are defining the characters and this allows the reader to see just how far Tatty has to rise if she is to grab the power she seeks.
Time To Win is the opening book in a series and I believe that there are at least two more to follow. This is welcome news as Harry Brett is crafting a fascinating criminal underworld for Great Yarmouth and if there are more stories to be told I shall gladly listen.
Fans of gangsters, dark deeds and lovers of noir this is a book you should be seeking out.
February 26, 2017
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
The main reason I picked up this book is that I am familiar with the area in which it is set.
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book at all. The endless descriptions of poor weather and general grimness of the area became very tiring and the actual story is very flat and flimsy, in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I am sorry I couldn't give it a positive review.
The main reason I picked up this book is that I am familiar with the area in which it is set.
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book at all. The endless descriptions of poor weather and general grimness of the area became very tiring and the actual story is very flat and flimsy, in my opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I am sorry I couldn't give it a positive review.
June 22, 2017
Interesting read, where the focus is on the criminals and their psychology, rather than the investigation . Looking forward to more .
January 1, 2019
Love the writing style. To me, this is noir. A dry and gritty read.
July 2, 2017
Hands up who didn’t properly read the synopsis before requesting this on NetGalley – Me! As a result this wasn’t the book I was expecting it to be, however this was a pleasant surprise. The book begins with the murder of local ‘businessman’ Rich Goodwin; I was expecting this to be your standard crime fiction police procedural, and I enjoy them so that certainly wouldn’t have been a disappointment. Instead Time To Win barely mentions the police enquiry focusing instead on Richard’s family and business associates and how they deal with the aftermath of his death.
Time To Win is set in Great Yarmouth, it’s somewhere I’m vaguely familiar with having been there on holiday when I was a teenager, and as much as I love Scottish crime, it was nice change for me to read something not set there, or in one of the big cities. For me this really worked well, and was a believable setting, Rich had clearly been a big fish in a relatively small pond. As the story develops you learn he clearly had his finger in a lot of pies, and it’s interesting following his family as they discover more about the man who was a husband and father.
There are a large number of characters introduced in the book – beginning with the victim Richard Goodwin. All the major characters then introduced are connected to Rich in some way, the majority are family members, we meet his wife Tatty, and their 3 children, his brother, and business partner, Simon and his wife. We’re also introduced to his right hand man Frank. I’m not sure how I feel about a lot of the characters, I felt that throughout the book I learned more about Rich’s business dealings than I did about anyone still living. There were hints about Tatty’s past and what she did before she met Rich but I would have liked to learn more. Everyone is still a bit of a mystery, which lends itself to a continuing series I’m sure, however it left me feeling a bit detached from the characters and not as invested as I perhaps could have been.
I wasn’t sure about the ending, I won’t go into detail as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone, however for me it felt a bit open-ended, again it lends itself to a follow-up but I would have liked a little more of a conclusion within this book. 350 or so pages is a fair amount to invest in the story and I felt the pay off wasn’t quite there, it seemed to end very abruptly.
Would I recommend it?
Despite my criticisms I would recommend the book. I’m sure it’s not a completely novel idea but for me it’s an interesting take on a new crime series. It’s not perfect but I think there’s definitely potential here, and I’ll be looking out for the next one.
Time To Win is set in Great Yarmouth, it’s somewhere I’m vaguely familiar with having been there on holiday when I was a teenager, and as much as I love Scottish crime, it was nice change for me to read something not set there, or in one of the big cities. For me this really worked well, and was a believable setting, Rich had clearly been a big fish in a relatively small pond. As the story develops you learn he clearly had his finger in a lot of pies, and it’s interesting following his family as they discover more about the man who was a husband and father.
There are a large number of characters introduced in the book – beginning with the victim Richard Goodwin. All the major characters then introduced are connected to Rich in some way, the majority are family members, we meet his wife Tatty, and their 3 children, his brother, and business partner, Simon and his wife. We’re also introduced to his right hand man Frank. I’m not sure how I feel about a lot of the characters, I felt that throughout the book I learned more about Rich’s business dealings than I did about anyone still living. There were hints about Tatty’s past and what she did before she met Rich but I would have liked to learn more. Everyone is still a bit of a mystery, which lends itself to a continuing series I’m sure, however it left me feeling a bit detached from the characters and not as invested as I perhaps could have been.
I wasn’t sure about the ending, I won’t go into detail as I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone, however for me it felt a bit open-ended, again it lends itself to a follow-up but I would have liked a little more of a conclusion within this book. 350 or so pages is a fair amount to invest in the story and I felt the pay off wasn’t quite there, it seemed to end very abruptly.
Would I recommend it?
Despite my criticisms I would recommend the book. I’m sure it’s not a completely novel idea but for me it’s an interesting take on a new crime series. It’s not perfect but I think there’s definitely potential here, and I’ll be looking out for the next one.
May 10, 2017
https://kindledelight.wordpress.com. This is the first book in a series dealing with the criminal underworld in Great Yarmouth. It’s safe to say that Time to Win isn’t going to win any awards from Visit Norfolk. The picture that Brett paints so vividly is of a tired, dirty, depressed town, full of corruption from the local authority to the Police and where the commercial activities of our protagonists are as much a front for money laundering as they are a means of entertainment for visitors and locals alike. Drugs and prostitution feature heavily and the whole Great Yarmouth vista is overlain with a wash of constant rainfall.
This is depression meets thug turned businessman. You can just imagine Ray Winstone as Richard Goodwin in the opening credits. Unfortunately, however, Richard Goodwin does not survive the opening credits. Dragged out of the river by police, this looks like it could have been a suicide, but his family know better.
Brett uses this death to lay bare the criminal dealings in which Goodwin was involved and to portray the impact that his death has on his family and his businesses. His widow, Tatania (Tatty) has hitherto existed in a haze of anti-depressants and vanity projects to keep her busy. But when Richard Goodwin dies, she recognises that it is up to her to make sure that no vacuum in the business is created and she sets out to take control before her rivals can get the better of the empire that she is taking over.
With the help of the trusty Frank, an enforcer who loves his garden, she embarks on a journey to lick her family into shape and ensure that no-one is left in any doubt as to who is in charge.
This is not a book where you are ever asked to care about the characters; there is not one with any redeeming features. Rather you are submerged in the squalid and seedy underbelly of crime – where drugs, murder and the cheapness of life are everyday pictures.
This is where I found myself looking for something more. After the body is dredged up in the opening scenes, there is no real mystery here. The focus is on how Tatty sets about taking over the business, no doubt in preparation for more novels to come.
Unfortunately, I did not find her a compelling character, nor was I wholly convinced by the narrative. These are people we should be very scared of, but in the end I lost interest in them because of the complete lack of anyone empathetic.
If you love harsh Brit grit noir, then this may well be for you, but it’s not the kind of book that floats my boat.
This is depression meets thug turned businessman. You can just imagine Ray Winstone as Richard Goodwin in the opening credits. Unfortunately, however, Richard Goodwin does not survive the opening credits. Dragged out of the river by police, this looks like it could have been a suicide, but his family know better.
Brett uses this death to lay bare the criminal dealings in which Goodwin was involved and to portray the impact that his death has on his family and his businesses. His widow, Tatania (Tatty) has hitherto existed in a haze of anti-depressants and vanity projects to keep her busy. But when Richard Goodwin dies, she recognises that it is up to her to make sure that no vacuum in the business is created and she sets out to take control before her rivals can get the better of the empire that she is taking over.
With the help of the trusty Frank, an enforcer who loves his garden, she embarks on a journey to lick her family into shape and ensure that no-one is left in any doubt as to who is in charge.
This is not a book where you are ever asked to care about the characters; there is not one with any redeeming features. Rather you are submerged in the squalid and seedy underbelly of crime – where drugs, murder and the cheapness of life are everyday pictures.
This is where I found myself looking for something more. After the body is dredged up in the opening scenes, there is no real mystery here. The focus is on how Tatty sets about taking over the business, no doubt in preparation for more novels to come.
Unfortunately, I did not find her a compelling character, nor was I wholly convinced by the narrative. These are people we should be very scared of, but in the end I lost interest in them because of the complete lack of anyone empathetic.
If you love harsh Brit grit noir, then this may well be for you, but it’s not the kind of book that floats my boat.
May 14, 2017
Now I don’t know about you, but when I think of Great Yarmouth I think of beach holidays (albeit cold ones), caravans, ice creams and long, long tailbacks on all the major arteries that feed their way to the east coast. So when I see Ian Rankin quoted as calling this the Godfather in Great Yarmouth I have to admit to being more than just a little bit intrigued. How in the fluffy ducks can anyone write a mob type drama set in East Anglia?
Well, that is exactly what Harry Brett has achieved with Time To Win. Opening with the apparent suicide of local businessman and crime Boss, Richard Goodwin this is complex tale of family, double crossing, dodgy dealing and more underhand transactions and criminal intrigue than I ever imagined could happen when I first visited this seemingly sleepy seaside town. And yet far from being out of place or far fetched, there is just something about this book which works.
The story follows Goodwin’s widow, Tatiana, and her family as they try to make sense of what has happened and get to grips with the less salubrious elements of the business empire. This is not a necessarily fast paced novel. We are not thrown into the middle of some heavy deal which the family is forced to navigate although there are one or two segments of the story in which we are privy to some of the more negative aspects of the operation.
Much of the book is spent with Tatiana as she attempts to assert herself within the business, much to the annoyance of her brother in law, Simon. She is not a character which it is easy to get to like although kudos to her for trying to take barge in a male dominated world. You do get the feeling that life with her husband was not all rosy, that she had reason to loathe him, but then she is just as guilty as he was for a lack of fidelity and a cooling of the relationship. To be fair, it is not a book in which many of the characters were particularly likeable but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book itself. I think sometimes it’s okay to not like the characters, especially when they happen to be part of East Anglia’s answer to the mob who are preparing for battle with the suspicious and perhaps deadly characters trying to move in and take over. Sometimes not trusting people just feels right and this was one such time.
Of all the characters it was Frank and Zach who appealed to me the most. As the youngest child, Zach knew more of what his father really did and seemed a far more down to earth character than his mother or siblings. Frank was loyal to a fault, a straight talking tough guy with a surprising edge. Both had something which intrigued me and made me root for them above all others. Don’t get me wrong – Zach is reckless and left unchecked likely to get into trouble. Despite his understanding he makes naive choices and without his mother and, more importantly, Frank looking out for him, he’d be in for a whole load of problems. But that is a large part of his appeal – the folly of youth.
As I said, this it not a fast paced thriller and if that is what you are looking for then this probably isn’t the book for you. This is more of a subdued read. It also probably won’t feature highly on the Norfolk tourist board’s list of tomes to sell the area as the descriptions of the weather and the landscape are less than flattering. And yet they feel… right. And the hidden dark side of the town also feels right somehow and yet perhaps not as dramatic or as passionate as some may like or expect given the subject matter. But then if this was all major guns and gangs then it would be hard to hide in a town like Great Yarmouth so perhaps this is a more authentic approach than it first appears. However you view it, I know I will never look at Great Yarmouth in quite the same way again. And as today, of all days, I find myself just down the road in Norwich, perhaps I should be a shade more concerned about what is really happening about me. Everything appears calm and laid back but you never can tell… 😉
If I had one real problem it would be with the ending. After all of the build up it seemed to be a little flat and perhaps too convenient. To think of all that has happened, all that appears to be happening in terms of people trying to muscle in, there was not quite enough of a crescendo for me and it felt like there could have just been a touch more on offer. A little bit more oomph. But despite this, the book pulled me in and held my attention and I would be interested to see, if this story is revisited, quite how it works out for the characters concerned.
Well, that is exactly what Harry Brett has achieved with Time To Win. Opening with the apparent suicide of local businessman and crime Boss, Richard Goodwin this is complex tale of family, double crossing, dodgy dealing and more underhand transactions and criminal intrigue than I ever imagined could happen when I first visited this seemingly sleepy seaside town. And yet far from being out of place or far fetched, there is just something about this book which works.
The story follows Goodwin’s widow, Tatiana, and her family as they try to make sense of what has happened and get to grips with the less salubrious elements of the business empire. This is not a necessarily fast paced novel. We are not thrown into the middle of some heavy deal which the family is forced to navigate although there are one or two segments of the story in which we are privy to some of the more negative aspects of the operation.
Much of the book is spent with Tatiana as she attempts to assert herself within the business, much to the annoyance of her brother in law, Simon. She is not a character which it is easy to get to like although kudos to her for trying to take barge in a male dominated world. You do get the feeling that life with her husband was not all rosy, that she had reason to loathe him, but then she is just as guilty as he was for a lack of fidelity and a cooling of the relationship. To be fair, it is not a book in which many of the characters were particularly likeable but that didn’t stop my enjoyment of the book itself. I think sometimes it’s okay to not like the characters, especially when they happen to be part of East Anglia’s answer to the mob who are preparing for battle with the suspicious and perhaps deadly characters trying to move in and take over. Sometimes not trusting people just feels right and this was one such time.
Of all the characters it was Frank and Zach who appealed to me the most. As the youngest child, Zach knew more of what his father really did and seemed a far more down to earth character than his mother or siblings. Frank was loyal to a fault, a straight talking tough guy with a surprising edge. Both had something which intrigued me and made me root for them above all others. Don’t get me wrong – Zach is reckless and left unchecked likely to get into trouble. Despite his understanding he makes naive choices and without his mother and, more importantly, Frank looking out for him, he’d be in for a whole load of problems. But that is a large part of his appeal – the folly of youth.
As I said, this it not a fast paced thriller and if that is what you are looking for then this probably isn’t the book for you. This is more of a subdued read. It also probably won’t feature highly on the Norfolk tourist board’s list of tomes to sell the area as the descriptions of the weather and the landscape are less than flattering. And yet they feel… right. And the hidden dark side of the town also feels right somehow and yet perhaps not as dramatic or as passionate as some may like or expect given the subject matter. But then if this was all major guns and gangs then it would be hard to hide in a town like Great Yarmouth so perhaps this is a more authentic approach than it first appears. However you view it, I know I will never look at Great Yarmouth in quite the same way again. And as today, of all days, I find myself just down the road in Norwich, perhaps I should be a shade more concerned about what is really happening about me. Everything appears calm and laid back but you never can tell… 😉
If I had one real problem it would be with the ending. After all of the build up it seemed to be a little flat and perhaps too convenient. To think of all that has happened, all that appears to be happening in terms of people trying to muscle in, there was not quite enough of a crescendo for me and it felt like there could have just been a touch more on offer. A little bit more oomph. But despite this, the book pulled me in and held my attention and I would be interested to see, if this story is revisited, quite how it works out for the characters concerned.
May 15, 2017
I was going to give this book a solid 3 or depending on how strongly it finished 4 stars. However that was ruined by the fact it seemed to have finished 6 or 10 chapters too early. I get that the author wanted to finish with the idea that more was to come (a sequel maybe?) but you have to actually wrap up the story you are writing, not just decide that's enough now.
The writing was engaging and it successfully got me to root for characters I sort of disliked at the beginning. There were too many times though, that a storyline was introduced for tension and then never mentioned again. You need to give someone a reason for doing what they did even if it was just to annoy someone else. There was also a big build up to the storyline where maybe the police were going to catch someone but then it was dealt with in a sentence that they didn't but we don't get to find out any more than that.
Such a terrible rushed lazy ending for a book, I am genuinely shocked as it had been fairly enjoyable up to that point.
The writing was engaging and it successfully got me to root for characters I sort of disliked at the beginning. There were too many times though, that a storyline was introduced for tension and then never mentioned again. You need to give someone a reason for doing what they did even if it was just to annoy someone else. There was also a big build up to the storyline where maybe the police were going to catch someone but then it was dealt with in a sentence that they didn't but we don't get to find out any more than that.
Such a terrible rushed lazy ending for a book, I am genuinely shocked as it had been fairly enjoyable up to that point.
May 18, 2017
Probably 3.5 but closer to 4 than 3.
This feels a little like Scorpian Rising the under-rated novel by Anthony Frewin and a little like the Harpur Iles series by Bill James.
The use of Great Yarmouth is inspired it allows Brett to avoid the traditional London cliches and it seems almost hyper real in setting.
This should be turned into a tv mini series and it is well plotted engaging and entertaining which is positive
This feels a little like Scorpian Rising the under-rated novel by Anthony Frewin and a little like the Harpur Iles series by Bill James.
The use of Great Yarmouth is inspired it allows Brett to avoid the traditional London cliches and it seems almost hyper real in setting.
This should be turned into a tv mini series and it is well plotted engaging and entertaining which is positive
May 21, 2017
I found this book disappointing especially after reading the introductory hype. I thought the characters were scantily drawn . It felt as if the whole book was a preamble to writing a series of crime based books set in Great Yarmouth based around the 'underworld activities' mentioned .
June 7, 2017
For a crime novel that starts with a killing, and where the body count rises steadily, this reads more like a family drama. There's a lot of scene building but not much action. I could imagine that it might work very well if adapted for TV.
Thanks to Corsair for my free hardback copy.
Thanks to Corsair for my free hardback copy.
August 30, 2017
far too violent for me and not really believable especially in a location like Yarmouth.
Lost count of how many muders were committed during the course of the story.
Lost count of how many muders were committed during the course of the story.
September 4, 2018
Found it difficult to get into.
August 22, 2019
The only interesting thing about this book was its setting in Yarmouth. The characters are boring and one dimensional and the plot is very weak.
July 25, 2020
More entertaining than convincing.
July 21, 2024
It was OK, but only OK.
And the ending didn't really end as it was left with too many outstanding and unresolved actions.
And the ending didn't really end as it was left with too many outstanding and unresolved actions.
April 7, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group for an advance copy of Time to Win, a crime novel set in Great Yarmouth.
Rich Goodwin is found dead in his submerged car. The police believe it is suicide, no one else does, especially his wife Tatiana or Tatty as she prefers. The problem for Tatty is that not all Rich's business interests were legitimate and she is on a steep learning curve when she decides to take over at the helm and find out who wanted Rich dead.
I was quite disappointed in Time To Win. It doesn't have the edgy pace I was expecting from the synopsis and it all seems to come too easily to Tatty. I suspect, however, that this is the first novel in a projected series and that the real fights and struggles have still to come, although, based on this novel, I probably won't bother with them.
I feel the author didn't really get to grips with his novel. There are plenty of threads and allusions but none that went anywhere except Tatty's determination to run the business which seems extremely improbable.
The one thing that stands out in the novel is the sense of seediness and decay in the once thriving resort of Great Yarmouth. The author does an excellent job of conveying this and the sense of hopelessness and unscrupulous opportunity it offers.
Time To Win is an ok read and an easy way to pass a few hours.
Rich Goodwin is found dead in his submerged car. The police believe it is suicide, no one else does, especially his wife Tatiana or Tatty as she prefers. The problem for Tatty is that not all Rich's business interests were legitimate and she is on a steep learning curve when she decides to take over at the helm and find out who wanted Rich dead.
I was quite disappointed in Time To Win. It doesn't have the edgy pace I was expecting from the synopsis and it all seems to come too easily to Tatty. I suspect, however, that this is the first novel in a projected series and that the real fights and struggles have still to come, although, based on this novel, I probably won't bother with them.
I feel the author didn't really get to grips with his novel. There are plenty of threads and allusions but none that went anywhere except Tatty's determination to run the business which seems extremely improbable.
The one thing that stands out in the novel is the sense of seediness and decay in the once thriving resort of Great Yarmouth. The author does an excellent job of conveying this and the sense of hopelessness and unscrupulous opportunity it offers.
Time To Win is an ok read and an easy way to pass a few hours.
April 23, 2017
Review to follow...
April 27, 2017
One of the first things that occurred to me when reading Time to Win was how the tourist board connected to Great Yarmouth would feel seeing how the area was portrayed in the novel. However, after visiting numerous UK seaside resorts out of season I feel that it is probably accurate.
I often wonder which type of character an author finds harder to create. The ones that the reader will love or the ones they will hate. Most of the characters who feature are unpleasant, although Tatty and Frank did grow on me as I read more.
Rich only appears in the prologue so you don’t really get to know him. The only member of his family who seemed to mourn him was Sam even though she too ridiculed him along with her siblings. They are a family who are capable of anything. They are feared but not everybody they try and control give in to their demands. Ben and Sam are more distant from the criminal activities that occur but they have been groomed for the future. They do feel the financial benefits though. Zach is probably just like his father and one of the more unlikeable characters in the novel.
It’s definitely part of a series, not many issues have been resolved by the end of the book. This reader wants to know more about Frank and Tatty, especially her past. I feel there is a lot more to learn about nearly everybody who featured.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
I often wonder which type of character an author finds harder to create. The ones that the reader will love or the ones they will hate. Most of the characters who feature are unpleasant, although Tatty and Frank did grow on me as I read more.
Rich only appears in the prologue so you don’t really get to know him. The only member of his family who seemed to mourn him was Sam even though she too ridiculed him along with her siblings. They are a family who are capable of anything. They are feared but not everybody they try and control give in to their demands. Ben and Sam are more distant from the criminal activities that occur but they have been groomed for the future. They do feel the financial benefits though. Zach is probably just like his father and one of the more unlikeable characters in the novel.
It’s definitely part of a series, not many issues have been resolved by the end of the book. This reader wants to know more about Frank and Tatty, especially her past. I feel there is a lot more to learn about nearly everybody who featured.
With thanks to the publisher for the copy received.
April 25, 2017
This is the kind of book that could have been so much better but sadly wasn't.
Rich Goodwin is found dead in the river of suspected suicide, a rich business man in Yarmouth, who not known to everyone is that he is a crime boss. When he dies, his wife Tatty whom up to now has just been happy to get the big bucks without not much of a clue of how it all came about, decides to seize control from Rich's sleazy brother Scott.
What did I like: Frank and Zack. Frank is the right hand man to Rich, the one who gets his hands dirty and doesn't trust Scott and is determined to protect Rich's family and help his wife succeed. Zack is the youngest son of Rich, the only one who knew his dad wasn't exactly on the straight and narrow. Frank is one of those gangsters whom are dead loyal to their boss, and he's such a nice man, and just so easy to like. Zack, for some reason, I just liked his character without really knowing why, I just did.
What I didn't: First, I was expecting a lot more action, this is a gangster novel but for most of the book, no one really was killed or beat up or threatened, and if they were it was so low key, not at all what I would expect from a gangster novel. Even when Tatty takes over the business, the criminal aspect doesn't get touched on much.
The lack of threat. There was supposed to be this gang kind of moving in on the turf but they never really did much and weren't threatening at all. Then there was Scott, who was more fearful then fearless.
The dreary setting killed it. It set the whole book in this dull lackluster tone.
The lack of emotion. I get that Rich was the asshole of the century but everyone was so unemotional, even the loyal Frank. There just was no emotion written into the story at all.
Also, some things were just left off. Like one minute there would be this heated conversation and I'd start to think oooh something is going to go down and then it would just be over and it would go onto the next scene. Or a character would be doing something that I wanted to know more about but then it would just go onto another character. And it was a constant thing.
Tatty herself. Like Rich treated her like shit, yet the second he is gone, she just becomes this new persona. Like there should be more development to the emotionally abused wife kept in the dark to becoming this woman with her own power, but nothing is built, it's just a sudden switch which is awfully unrealistic.
The end. So predictable.
I received this book from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Rich Goodwin is found dead in the river of suspected suicide, a rich business man in Yarmouth, who not known to everyone is that he is a crime boss. When he dies, his wife Tatty whom up to now has just been happy to get the big bucks without not much of a clue of how it all came about, decides to seize control from Rich's sleazy brother Scott.
What did I like: Frank and Zack. Frank is the right hand man to Rich, the one who gets his hands dirty and doesn't trust Scott and is determined to protect Rich's family and help his wife succeed. Zack is the youngest son of Rich, the only one who knew his dad wasn't exactly on the straight and narrow. Frank is one of those gangsters whom are dead loyal to their boss, and he's such a nice man, and just so easy to like. Zack, for some reason, I just liked his character without really knowing why, I just did.
What I didn't: First, I was expecting a lot more action, this is a gangster novel but for most of the book, no one really was killed or beat up or threatened, and if they were it was so low key, not at all what I would expect from a gangster novel. Even when Tatty takes over the business, the criminal aspect doesn't get touched on much.
The lack of threat. There was supposed to be this gang kind of moving in on the turf but they never really did much and weren't threatening at all. Then there was Scott, who was more fearful then fearless.
The dreary setting killed it. It set the whole book in this dull lackluster tone.
The lack of emotion. I get that Rich was the asshole of the century but everyone was so unemotional, even the loyal Frank. There just was no emotion written into the story at all.
Also, some things were just left off. Like one minute there would be this heated conversation and I'd start to think oooh something is going to go down and then it would just be over and it would go onto the next scene. Or a character would be doing something that I wanted to know more about but then it would just go onto another character. And it was a constant thing.
Tatty herself. Like Rich treated her like shit, yet the second he is gone, she just becomes this new persona. Like there should be more development to the emotionally abused wife kept in the dark to becoming this woman with her own power, but nothing is built, it's just a sudden switch which is awfully unrealistic.
The end. So predictable.
I received this book from the publishers through Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
April 26, 2017
I'd actually like to give this 3 1/2 stars but I don't have that option. I am rounding up rather than down because despite quite a few niggles I have with the book, I do think the series could have potential. It will definitely be interesting to read the follow up and see how the author takes it further, now the scene is set and the major players have been established.
One of my major niggles was with repetition. It was almost like the author didn't quite trust the reader's memory. Certain things were repeated over and over, I am not going to name them all as I may just be being oversensitive to particular things, however I am going to name and shame the over emphasis on both the weather and the location. I don't need constant weather forecasts unless they add something to the plot, nor do I need a blow by blow account of every building passed and road taken on a journey (I know some of them were pertinent to the plot as they gave context on Rich's properties). That just distracts me away from the narrative and puts me off. Gets me thinking that maybe the story wasn't enough, it just seemed like a bit of padding rather than scene setting to be honest; unnecessary. I've read books where the setting is almost a character in its own right, and when done well, it works, it really does, here notsomuch. It just became a bit tedious for me at the end of the day.
So, the story opens with an apparent suicide. The death of major businessman Rich Goodwin. He has fingers in a lot of pies in the area, some legal, some not so legal. Those close to him don't believe he would take his own life and, given his... connections... there are plenty would wish him harm. Rich's business partner and brother, Simon, doesn't know the half of Rich's deals but still wants to take control of it all. Rich's widow, Tatty has an inkling and wants to know the rest, to take the helm, and turns to Rich's long suffering right hand man, Frank, to show her. Which he does in his own way. Also embroiled into Rich's world is his son Zach having done some "IT" work for him in the past. Their other two children live and work in London, away from it all in quite good, professional jobs. Other major players in our piece include Simon's wife, Tatty's cleaner and her daughter, and various colleagues and contacts of Rich's, all with something to add to the story, occasionally that something coming right out of left field. There was something not quite consistent with some of the things that happened, some things they did along the way that didn't quite sit right with me. Again I am not prepared to list them as their inclusion here could seem a bit spoilery. My main bugbear however was the instant transformation of Tatty. The way she went from 0-60 faster than a supercar after the death of her husband. Where was this side of her during his life? Why the complete 180? I didn't quite swallow that. From ignorance to enlightenment overnight; I'd love to get a peep at that self-help book!
Gosh, I sound so down on it all... but I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't mention these things. I would also not be being honest if I didn't add that, despite these things, I did actually enjoy the book. Although my gripes may be many, they are not particularly major. Together they do not add up to enough to tip me over the edge and make me stop reading. In fact, despite all the above, the book did manage to hold my attention sufficiently enough for me to both get to the end and feel mostly satisfied. I did believe and connect with enough of the characters to get me through. Hence the star rating. Maybe I'm just in a benevolent mood. Or maybe I just hope that the author reads this review and takes encouragement and maybe a bit of constructive feedback from what I say (I should be so important!). With the end of the book left where it was, I really want to see what happens next and I hope that I get my answers without having to contend with the meteorology and google maps!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
One of my major niggles was with repetition. It was almost like the author didn't quite trust the reader's memory. Certain things were repeated over and over, I am not going to name them all as I may just be being oversensitive to particular things, however I am going to name and shame the over emphasis on both the weather and the location. I don't need constant weather forecasts unless they add something to the plot, nor do I need a blow by blow account of every building passed and road taken on a journey (I know some of them were pertinent to the plot as they gave context on Rich's properties). That just distracts me away from the narrative and puts me off. Gets me thinking that maybe the story wasn't enough, it just seemed like a bit of padding rather than scene setting to be honest; unnecessary. I've read books where the setting is almost a character in its own right, and when done well, it works, it really does, here notsomuch. It just became a bit tedious for me at the end of the day.
So, the story opens with an apparent suicide. The death of major businessman Rich Goodwin. He has fingers in a lot of pies in the area, some legal, some not so legal. Those close to him don't believe he would take his own life and, given his... connections... there are plenty would wish him harm. Rich's business partner and brother, Simon, doesn't know the half of Rich's deals but still wants to take control of it all. Rich's widow, Tatty has an inkling and wants to know the rest, to take the helm, and turns to Rich's long suffering right hand man, Frank, to show her. Which he does in his own way. Also embroiled into Rich's world is his son Zach having done some "IT" work for him in the past. Their other two children live and work in London, away from it all in quite good, professional jobs. Other major players in our piece include Simon's wife, Tatty's cleaner and her daughter, and various colleagues and contacts of Rich's, all with something to add to the story, occasionally that something coming right out of left field. There was something not quite consistent with some of the things that happened, some things they did along the way that didn't quite sit right with me. Again I am not prepared to list them as their inclusion here could seem a bit spoilery. My main bugbear however was the instant transformation of Tatty. The way she went from 0-60 faster than a supercar after the death of her husband. Where was this side of her during his life? Why the complete 180? I didn't quite swallow that. From ignorance to enlightenment overnight; I'd love to get a peep at that self-help book!
Gosh, I sound so down on it all... but I wouldn't be being honest if I didn't mention these things. I would also not be being honest if I didn't add that, despite these things, I did actually enjoy the book. Although my gripes may be many, they are not particularly major. Together they do not add up to enough to tip me over the edge and make me stop reading. In fact, despite all the above, the book did manage to hold my attention sufficiently enough for me to both get to the end and feel mostly satisfied. I did believe and connect with enough of the characters to get me through. Hence the star rating. Maybe I'm just in a benevolent mood. Or maybe I just hope that the author reads this review and takes encouragement and maybe a bit of constructive feedback from what I say (I should be so important!). With the end of the book left where it was, I really want to see what happens next and I hope that I get my answers without having to contend with the meteorology and google maps!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
April 27, 2017
Classic British noir.
May 2, 2017
Time to Win is a very different novel in crime fiction from what I have been currently reading. And why? you may ask. Well this is a book where it’s the woman who steps up into a predominantly male world and takes the reins.
Richard Goodwin, was a tough figure in the crime world. A man, who appeared to show no fear and was almost invincible in his own eyes, finds death in the bottom of the river. His car is pulled out from the docks behind his offices with his body locked inside.
An initial investigation presumes suicide but as all those close to him know, Richard Goodwin loved himself way too much to take his own life.
With his brother Simon left behind to run the business, Tatania Goodwin decides it is now up to her to find out what really happened. The police, seemingly accepting of the initial theory of suicide, leave Tatania, with the assistance of Frank, Richards right hand man, to uncover the truth.
Tatania has three grown up children, all with lives of their own to lead. It is quite unclear in reading the book the full extent of their knowledge of exactly what their father was involved with and I expect this will be expanded as the series moves forward.
Tatania Goodwin is a formidable lady. With a history that remains very much in the shadows of this book, she quickly slots into the role of her husband and looks to continue his rather shady enterprises but with her own stamp on it.
As she attempts to establish the reason for her husband’s unexpected demise, she is soon exposed to some of the more unsavory sides to his character and his business, Unfazed by what she discovers, Tatania starts to establish herself fast in a vacuum that is left open in the local crime scene. Her personality develops more as the novel progresses and it’s not long before a much harder Tatania begins to appear.
The death of Richard Goodwin does not seem to draw too much sympathy from too many people and as Tatania soon discovers there is no love lost between Richard and many of his associates.
With deals to be concluded and individuals to be ‘dealt’ with, Tatania, with the assistance of Frank, soon establishes herself as a woman on a mission, a woman without fear and most importantly a mother who will not see her children’s future destroyed.
In reading Time To Win I was reminded of the TV hip-hop based drama Empire. Empire is, as it’s name suggests, about a family with a business empire and it’s struggle for survival. Tatania Goodwin reminds me of Cookie Lyon, the mother in Empire who will stop at nothing to protect her kids.
In Time To Win, Harry Brett has laid down the roots for plenty more to come. Not a recommendation for Great Yarmouth mind you but a fast read with all the hallmarks of a great series in the making. Characters definitely need to be fleshed out more as the background stories need to be developed but I have no doubt that that is why book one is left so open…….
Possibly made for a TV series dare I say……
Richard Goodwin, was a tough figure in the crime world. A man, who appeared to show no fear and was almost invincible in his own eyes, finds death in the bottom of the river. His car is pulled out from the docks behind his offices with his body locked inside.
An initial investigation presumes suicide but as all those close to him know, Richard Goodwin loved himself way too much to take his own life.
With his brother Simon left behind to run the business, Tatania Goodwin decides it is now up to her to find out what really happened. The police, seemingly accepting of the initial theory of suicide, leave Tatania, with the assistance of Frank, Richards right hand man, to uncover the truth.
Tatania has three grown up children, all with lives of their own to lead. It is quite unclear in reading the book the full extent of their knowledge of exactly what their father was involved with and I expect this will be expanded as the series moves forward.
Tatania Goodwin is a formidable lady. With a history that remains very much in the shadows of this book, she quickly slots into the role of her husband and looks to continue his rather shady enterprises but with her own stamp on it.
As she attempts to establish the reason for her husband’s unexpected demise, she is soon exposed to some of the more unsavory sides to his character and his business, Unfazed by what she discovers, Tatania starts to establish herself fast in a vacuum that is left open in the local crime scene. Her personality develops more as the novel progresses and it’s not long before a much harder Tatania begins to appear.
The death of Richard Goodwin does not seem to draw too much sympathy from too many people and as Tatania soon discovers there is no love lost between Richard and many of his associates.
With deals to be concluded and individuals to be ‘dealt’ with, Tatania, with the assistance of Frank, soon establishes herself as a woman on a mission, a woman without fear and most importantly a mother who will not see her children’s future destroyed.
In reading Time To Win I was reminded of the TV hip-hop based drama Empire. Empire is, as it’s name suggests, about a family with a business empire and it’s struggle for survival. Tatania Goodwin reminds me of Cookie Lyon, the mother in Empire who will stop at nothing to protect her kids.
In Time To Win, Harry Brett has laid down the roots for plenty more to come. Not a recommendation for Great Yarmouth mind you but a fast read with all the hallmarks of a great series in the making. Characters definitely need to be fleshed out more as the background stories need to be developed but I have no doubt that that is why book one is left so open…….
Possibly made for a TV series dare I say……
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