PAUL D. BRAZILL - LAST YEAR'S MAN (2018)

Synopsis/blurb......

A troubled, ageing hit man leaves London and returns to his hometown in the north east of England hoping for peace. But the ghosts of his past return to haunt him. 

Last Year’s Man is a violent and blackly comic slice of Brit Grit noir. 

Praise for LAST YEAR’S MAN: 

“Brazill offers a series of amusing episodes filled with breezy banter in this offbeat slice of British noir.” —Publishers Weekly 

“It’s all here, everything you’ve come to expect from a Paul D. Brazill caper—the fast pace, the witty banter, the grim humour and the classic tunes—except this time he’s REALLY outdone himself. Unlike the lament in the song the title takes its name from, Paul’s best years are surely still ahead of him.” —Paul Heatley, author of Fatboy 

Another one from Paul D. Brazill that does exactly what it says on the tin, delivering humour, one-liners, cultural references, violence, characters and story.

Tommy is a hitman based in London, but he's starting to feel his age - a weakening bladder, eczema and the usual aches and pains familiar to anyone approaching sixty.

A job goes down, soon followed by another, but Tommy might be getting a bit sloppy in his old age. He's recorded, planting a device which killed a policeman among others. A couple of dodgy cops with the evidence, now want Tommy to come and work for them. A short, brutal negotiation later and our man, decides it might be time to depart the smoke and seek out a quieter life.

Home to Seatown, up North and before too long, any thoughts of retirement are soon banished as our man finds his not so secret talents are still in demand with the some old acquaintances from his past.

Brian Ferry, PIL, music journalists, executions, explosions,  Sapporo beer, Gloria bloody Gaynor, a train journey, a death in a pub toilet, family re-unions, kebabs and instant coffee, a missing Catholic priest, fry-ups, pervert teachers, bent cops, a bingo loving mother, a town in decline, a fat man in a blue bunny rabbit costume, a discussion about the merits or otherwise of Julian Cope and more..... lots to ponder and enjoy while savouring a not so nostalgic homecoming for our anti-hero.

"......getting old may have its faults but it beats the alternative." 

4.5 from 5


Paul D. Brazill's has been enjoyed many times before. The good news is there is still more on the TBR pile from him.

Read - March, 2019
Published - 2018
Page count - 136
Source - review copy from publisher - All Due Respect (cheers Chris)
Format - paperback