COL BURY - MANCHESTER 6 (2012)

Synopsis/blurb….

Manchester 6 focuses on the best and worst of human nature, personified in the gritty urban setting of Manchester, UK. It features a plethora of no-nonsense characters you’d ordinarily want to avoid. The six stories highlight generally decent folk who become embroiled with the lower echelons of society, aka scumbags. Whether it’s the paranoid, spliff-sucking writer who has an online spat, or an ex-soldier hunting a notorious gang, there’s conflict galore. 

Meanwhile, hell hath no fury, like a window cleaner ripped-off of his Christmas tips, and a heroic family man faces Al Qaeda and the decision of his life. When you add to the mix, the luckiest gambler in town having a ball, coked up in a lap-dancing club, and an eccentric ice cream van owner who pushes ‘friendship’ beyond the limit, you know something’s got to give, and, boy, does it! This collection oozes dark wit and has more twists and turns than a snake on speed.

Praise for Manchester 6

“Darkly funny, muscular prose with stark imagery. A must read.” – Richard Godwin, author of Apostle Rising.

“Top selection filled with dark humour, pathos and gritty action.” – Matt Hilton, author of the Joe Hunter thriller series.

“Snappy and powerful with realistic characters.” – Nick Quantrill, author of Broken Dreams.

“Col Bury’s Manchester 6 may well be the epitome of Brit Grit.” – Paul D Brazill, widely published British noir writer.

A short book of stories, but enough here to keep me amused and entertained.

My favourite concerns a window cleaner who snaps and sets in motion a revenge attack on the villain who has ruined Christmas for him and his kids.

Which isn’t to say that the others in the collection are too shabby either.

International terrorism comes to Manchester……. a good neighbour with a genial, generous nature gets taken for a mug…… Dogger Dave and his tiny appendage….plus plenty more besides

Violent, gritty, fast and furious with street language and touches of humour – sprinkled throughout.

There’s a piece at the back of the book where the author explains the inspiration behind the narratives, what conversations and chats inspired certain tales – an interesting peek inside a writer’s brain.

4 from 5

Purchased some time ago on Amazon UK for kindle.

Col Bury’s other selection of Manchester tales - The Cops of Manchester - will be shuffled closer to the top of the pile.    

About the author

Col Bury was born and raised in Manchester, UK, and is the crime editor of award winning ezine, Thrillers, Killers ‘n’ Chillers. His short stories can be found in many anthologies, including, The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime 9. His fiction is scattered around the blogosphere, at the likes of A Twist Of Noir and The Flash Fiction Offensive. A New York agent enjoyed Col’s online stories so much that they’re now working together developing his crime novel series. When he’s not working, being a daddy, writing, reading or editing, Col shoots pool or watches his beloved Manchester City FC.

His first novel was published last month - My Kind of Justice.

Website  - here

Twitter - @ColBurywriter