KEITH NIXON - RUSSIAN ROULETTE

Synopsis/blurb…..

Meet Konstantin Boryakov, the enigmatic ex-KGB agent and tramp from the best-selling debut novel, The Fix. He’s a man with a dark history and darker future. 

Trouble has a habit of seeking out Konstantin, whether he wants it or not. Starting with small time drug dealer Dave the Rave from the moment he arrives in the seedy seaside town of Margate where he’s supposed to hide, to Nikos the loan shark and Fat Gary, all round idiot. Then there’s the so-called good guys, the councilors and lawyers who are worse than the criminals. 

But Konstantin isn’t alone, despite his wishes. Fidelity Brown, aka Plastic Fantastic, dildo wielding dominatrix who has her own mélange of secrets and lies, and nightclub owner Ken who’s connected to all the wrong people, help the Russian with the heap of problems delivered to his doorstep. 

Cue deception, murder, mayhem as Konstantin settles into his new life. Margate will never be the same again. 


‘Keith Nixon gets better with each new book. Among a promising crop of new writers he's the one to watch. A rare and diverse talent who has the ability to surprise and impress ... sometimes in the same sentence.’ 
Tony Black, author of The Last Tiger and The Inglorious Dead 

‘If you told me that Konstantin put the K in KGB, I wouldn't even argue. This character is a badass of the highest calibre.’ 
Gerard Brennan, author of Undercover 

‘Hardboiled action and sharp, gritty humour. Highly recommended.’ 
Paul D. Brazill, author of Guns Of Brixton and A Case Of Noir 

‘Flat, monotoned, dreary landscapes against which two of the most original characters ever seen in literature—Konstantin and Fidelity—operate together and separately in linked stories in a series of nourish nightmares that will have you screaming inside your skull. This is what noir is all about. Masterful, deadly and powerful.’ 
Les Edgerton, author of The Rapist, The Bitch and The Genuine, Imitation, Plastic Kidnapping 

Russian Roulette is Keith Nixon’s collection of novellas; the first three of which were previously available as individual pieces – DreamLand, Plastic Fantastic and Fat Gary. Bullet, Infidelity, Close Contact and A Chorus of Bells complete the set.

I don’t think it’s harsh on the author to state that his original brand of crime fiction will not be to everyone’s liking, but for me it ticks a helluva lot of boxes…..setting, character, pace, action, humour. When all those elements are present – strap me down and I’ll enjoy the ride.

Across the range of the seven connective pieces, we are initially introduced to our ex-KGB Russian Konstantin and his new home, the run-down seaside town of Margate. Konstantin has a way of attracting trouble, mainly because of his inability to turn a blind eye to others in need. That attribute is recognised by the troubled dominatrix, Felicity aka Plastic Fantastic and for a few of these vignettes we have our nightmare duo operating in tandem.

Low-life criminals, tramps, dodgy councillors, priests, prostitutes, fake lawyers, ‘roid-raging family abusers, pimps, pub landlords, clairvoyants, scouse gangsters, the Margate underworld, Dungeness, a trip up North, old school friends, Aussie barmen, the Stanley twins, a botched robbery and amongst it all a trip to South Korea where we witness Konstantin functioning in his previous life.

Gritty and glorious, dirty and dynamic, fast and furious, etc etc

 

5 from 5

Nixon currently resides in Broadstairs, once home to a chap called Dickens. I know who I would rather be reading.

Other offerings still waiting on the pile from him are The Fix and The Eagle’s Shadow – a historical mystery set in Rome.

Keith was kind enough to send me a copy of Russian Roulette, but I was enjoying it so much I did the decent thing and went and bought my own!