Warning: this is not a book for your maiden aunt. It, as the BBC newsreaders would say, ‘Contains scenes viewers might find upsetting.’ It is a rip-roaring tale of money, violence, skulduggery and graphic sex, dripping from every pore. There is no detective story subtlety or finesse here; more, ‘wham, bang, thank you, mam,’ but not without a final twist. The stone is lifted from the underworld of Romford gangsters where rules of behaviour are dictated by ‘The Boys’ and their ex-Parachute Regiment leader, armed with his cricket bat and a fifty-thousand volt laser stun gun. The author depicts life in conspicuously accurate detail, from police procedure to the criminal ability to dispose of evidence, and, indeed, bodies. If I didn’t know him as a trusted confidant and old comrade-in-arms, I’d think he had insider knowledge…. But maybe he has. It is chillingly authentic. Read it at speed, ignore the occasional cliché and slang, and turn the pages fast, as intended. It could, perhaps, have done with a ruthless editor, but it is a donner und blitzen tale, drafted by a man who has been trained under harsh conditions and was, himself, cool under fire. Not for him the bland Bond villains; these are the gritty realities of today’s world of sleaze, scumbags and bent policemen, where life can be short and its end gruesome. Revenge is lashed out with the bayonet shaft of the ice-pick. Probably not to be read before you put your light out, unless you sleep easily, but, maybe, on the sunbed; good fun with, perhaps, a tiny tongue-in-cheek? Like the author’s good police officers, you’ll need a strong whisky on completion.

Not for the faint-hearted should come with a literary health warning if you like a fast paced thriller with copious amounts of “claret” then look no further you are in the driving seat straight away no gentle introduction to the mayhem and a clever plot within a plot with the inter-twining of the two main characters and the threatening presence of the bogey-man clever use of local background and detail which has obviously been painstakingly researched and investigated which obviously hints at prior knowledge and experience of same. Await the sequel with the same anticipation of enjoyment that I had when reading this tale of Romford’s dark side.

I certainly enjoyed 'The Romford Boys' from start to finish it was an interesting and exciting story. Plenty to get the juices flowing and the tension had me reaching for an accompanying wee dram, definitely without ice! A first novel which already has me excited about the author's sequel.

This is a no nonsense, can’t wait to get started, extremely violent tale of sex, crime and retribution and most definitely not for those with a delicate disposition. It is a rollercoaster ride of incredible proportion and doesn’t let up at any point from the first page to the last. The author has certainly done due diligence in researching the subject matter judging by the high grade of accuracy regarding police and other agency procedures. A great, fast-paced read which does credit to the author for turning out such a thriller first time out.