Crime and Punishment

by G.F. Newman

A blockbuster tale of four generations of one family and 60 years as the cops—and the robbers—of London   Since he was six, Brian Oldman has been haunted by the murder of his grandfather. He holds a terrible secret that he must keep for fear of his life, but there is a most disturbing secret Brian has yet to discover as he plunges into the criminal underworld of 1950s London, where gangs are engaged in savage battle over territory. Meanwhile, Brian's uncle Jack, a boxer who is dodging National Service, finds opportunities to make money by providing a bit of muscle as he reaches for the World Light Heavyweight title. Stopped in his title hopes by the Kerry twins, he's determined to destroy them. Spanning three decades, this saga follows the lives of one family against the backdrop of a revolution in crime, as the underworld extends its influence to the very heart of the establishment.

Genres: Fiction

696 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2009

About the author

Gordon Frank Newman is an English television producer and writer. He is known for his two series Law and Order and The Nation's Health, each based on his books.

Reviews

[David Lowther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime and Punishment is an epic crime story spread over more than thirty years from the end of the Second World War to Margaret Thatcher's election victory in 1979. It's totally credible, gripping and often unpleasant reading.

GF Newman has woven his tale of the rise and fall of two London underworld characters around true life characters like the Krays, the Richardsons, John Bindon (the actor with dodgy friends) John Bloom (the washing machine man) Wilfred Bramble (Steptoe - a real life dirty old man according to Newman) and notorious homosexual Tom Driberg. Throw in a couple of bent policemen as well as the straight Commissioner Sir Robert Mark and you have a thrilling mix of the real and the imagined.

Crime and Punishment is not just an exploitation novel. Newman's characterisation is skilful and he gets the reader to empathise with the villains as he details the tragic circumstances which drove the central characters into a downward spiral of crime.

Having been brought up in the 40s, 50s and 60s, though not in London, I recognise the feel of the era with rationing, the end of rationing and Harold MacMillan's 'You've never had it so good' times.

This is an outstanding novel and highly recommended.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil (thebluepencil.co.uk)

[Roger Boyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was serialized on BBC radio and I heard a couple of episodes that were rather good. Couple that with the unhealthy British fascination with the faux heroism of violent thieves (Kray, Richardson, ...) and you see why people buy these things.

Very disappointing. Poor characterization, implausible plot and above all far too long at 690pp. If he'd held it under 300 he could have binned the crap bits. The premise of the murder (not a spoiler as it's on p1) is actually scarcely revisited.

The very early stretches with the post-war backdrop are the best - the more he touches the news stories of the days, the worse it gets.

Don't waste your money.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can see how this would make an excellent TV series but as a novel it’s awful. The writing is choppy and with the exception of Leah, there is not a single likeable character. Very long and drawn out, it could have done with being 200 pages less.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to series on BBC Sounds 5 series of 10 episodes each. Unfortunately story didn’t end, can’t find 2nd book and frustrated

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

The BBC Radio 4 drama adaptation was excellent, this prompted me to buy the book. Sadly it didn't live up to expectations, way too long.

[Katrina Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started off well, the characters grabbed my attention and the story clicked along, but it soon got bogged down and repetitive. I gave up just over half way through.